Enrollment in entomology courses and academic programs has historically been limited and is currently declining to critical levels, prompting concerns about program sustainability at institutions across the United States. Traditional recruitment efforts have focused on students from agriculture, public health, and biology-related majors. However, there is growing potential to engage new and more diverse student populations through both formal coursework and informal outreach activities. This study evaluates two recruitment pathways at Oregon State University: a formal course titled Pests, Plagues & Politics, which consistently enrolls a high number of students from diverse disciplines, and the informal but highly active student organization, the Bug Club. We examined the declared majors of students participating in each over a two-year period to assess whether the course and the club influence one another in terms of membership and engagement. Additionally, we evaluated the extent to which either pathway is associated with increased student involvement in the Entomological Society of America (ESA) or enrollment in the entomology minor. Our analysis of student majors revealed significant participation from disciplines not traditionally associated with entomology. These findings suggest untapped recruitment pools and highlight the importance of interdisciplinary content in attracting a broader student audience. By identifying which majors are most responsive to entomology engagement efforts, programs can better target their outreach and design inclusive strategies to build interest across academic boundaries. We discuss the implications of these results for strengthening the recruitment pipeline, expanding the visibility of entomology, and enhancing the long-term viability of entomological education programs.
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