Volunteer spotlight: Audra Vest Upchurch finds common ground with other Hokies

Editor's note: We are regularly profiling university volunteers. This series explores who these dedicated Hokies are and what motivates them to give back. To submit someone for consideration, please contact Brenda Walker, strategic volunteer initiatives executive director, at volunteerstrategy@vt.edu.

What’s a fun fact about you that most people don’t know?

I am currently pursuing a Ph.D. at Virginia Tech through the Graduate School’s Individualized Interdisciplinary Ph.D. program focused on organizational leadership and corporate citizenship.

I am a triple Hokie, having earned my bachelor’s degree in forestry, Master of Natural Resources (MNR), and MBA. But did you know that Virginia Tech rejected me three times?

I began my undergraduate studies at a small liberal arts college based on advice from an “expert” in my life and quickly realized it was not the right fit.

I applied to transfer to Virginia Tech and was rejected. Still unhappy, I applied again and was rejected a second time. That time, I called to ask why. I was missing a required course, which I took at Virginia Western before starting at Virginia Tech in spring 1998.

After completing my bachelor’s and master’s degrees, I decided to pursue an MBA. I applied, requested a GMAT exemption (I already had a master’s), and was denied. With only a few weeks left, I took the test and did poorly. I was rejected again. But in typical Audra form, I did not give up, and after further discussion and review, I was accepted.

Who has been the biggest influence on your career and why?

I have been blessed by numerous mentors and individuals willing to take a chance on me, including:

• Susie Leslie, Cathy Barker, and Richard Oderwald. If it had not been for these three amazing individuals, I’m not sure where I would be or if I would have succeeded in completing my bachelor’s degree in forestry. They supported me when I needed it most, never gave up on me, and made sure I succeeded.
• David L. Trauger. He was standing up the MNR program and saw my potential as an MNR student and helped me execute my path.
• David Walls. He hired me after we met in my first MNR class into my first government consulting role, trained me and mentored me, promoted me, provided me technical and management opportunities, and taught me so many critical consulting, management, and leadership skills.
• My family. My parents are the hardest working people I have ever met. They taught me the value of working hard, doing the right thing no matter the situation, and leading through kindness and love.
• Jennifer Russell. She agreed to take on the committee chair role after only meeting me once, she has provided me incredibly valuable guidance and mentorship focused on my pursuit of a Ph.D., and I have learned so much from her expertise.

What advice would you give to current Virginia Tech students who hope to follow a similar career path?

Paths are never linear. I’m still “deciding what I want to be when I grow up.” Don’t worry about knowing all of the answers, it’s the journey that is important.

Ask for help, it’s OK not to know everything, no one does. Take chances. When someone offers an opportunity, say yes. Always look for new ways to learn and grow. Be kind, no matter what the situation. Never stop learning and growing. Give back, when you have the opportunity, give back with your "time, treasures, and talent."

What’s a recent accomplishment you’re particularly proud of, personally or professionally?

In 2023, I was nominated for and received the Women in Technology STEM Leadership award. In 2025, I received the Volunteer of the Year award by the Border Patrol Foundation. I am the mother of an amazing 14-year-old, Nora, who is focused on pursuing a career in engineering.

How did you first get involved with volunteering at the university?

I decided I wanted to volunteer but didn’t know how or what was needed. I asked everyone I could find, “How can I help.” At first, it was just a little, but as I built relationships, I also built opportunities to volunteer and support the Hokie community.

There’s never too small of a role, just help where you can that best fits your skills. My first role was volunteering at the homecoming tent for the College of Natural Resources and Environment, then helping to stand up an advisory council for the MNR program, then the Pamplin Society signature event lead (planning and hosting an event was right up my alley), then Pamplin Society Exec Committee and presenting at the PS Annual Awards, then the MBA Advisory Council and most recently the CNRE Dean’s Advisory Council where I was selected as vice chair in 2025. Again, never a linear path, one with lots of small steps, zigs and zags, and leading to more opportunities to volunteer.

What is your favorite area of Virginia Tech to support? How do you support this area?

My favorite area to support is anywhere I can facilitate collaboration across the university and industry. Most recently this includes my roles on both the College of Natural Resources and Pamplin College of Business boards/councils.

What’s your favorite memory or moment as a university volunteer?

When I traveled to Iceland with the MNR students, I was able to share information about Virginia Tech and opportunities for the students outside of what they had learned in their classes.

How does volunteering connect with your personal values or life goals?

Volunteering is part of my core values and my very existence. I am always looking for opportunities to support, serve, give back, collaborate, meet new Hokies, and make a difference. I have been most excited to see how my daughter is also volunteering and giving back to her community and how I can support her in these efforts.

What advice would you give to someone considering volunteering with the university?

When you’re ready, start identifying opportunities to volunteer. If you don’t get the answer you want, keep asking, find the place where you and your expertise can be applied to help Virginia Tech and fellow Hokies.

It may take a few times before you find the right fit, but don’t give up. And remember, volunteering is on top of your day job. It’s OK to say you don’t have the bandwidth to help at the level requested. You can find a compromise and find a way to give back at the level you can provide.

This year marks the 100th anniversary of your college. What changes have you seen and what excites you most about its future?

I have been so excited to see how the college is evolving. During my time as a student the options were forestry-ENR (environmental resources) or FNR (forest resources) and now now these focus areas are their own majors. Meteorology and geology are now part our college and, wow, look what’s going on in the sustainable biomaterials department with climate, circular economy and packaging — truly innovative and critical research and focus areas for our world.

What moment, tradition, or memory stands out most to you when you think about your connection to the college?

The Hokie network. Truly, you meet someone, and you find out they’re a Hokie, you’re on common ground and you build from there. Ut Prosim (That I May Serve) developing us into those who will provide a positive impact in our world. Football games. Standing in the rain, sleet, snow … and staying for the full game no matter the weather because we are there for the long haul.