COLUMBIA, SC, February 11, 2025 /24-7PressRelease/ -- Laura Celeste Updegraff has been selected for inclusion in Marquis Who's Who. As in all Marquis Who's Who biographical volumes, individuals profiled are selected on the basis of current reference value. Factors such as position, noteworthy accomplishments, visibility, and prominence in a field are all taken into account during the selection process.

Ms. Updegraff has established a distinguished career as both a human resource director in the Army, and since 2023, as a contract specialist with the United States Forest Service in Columbia, South Carolina. With nearly 30 years of experience, she is recognized for her expertise in Army operations, account management, data analysis, financial analysis and contractor relations. Her analytical skills and commitment to networking within the field has further solidified her reputation as a leader in her profession.

Prior to her current role, Ms. Updegraff was self-employed as a research assistant from 2021 to 2023. During this period, she also pursued doctoral coursework at the University of South Carolina from 2020 to 2022. She possesses extensive military experience having served 24 years in the United States Army, where she held various significant positions such as chief of manpower, plans and operations from 2017 to 2019 and professor of military science from 2015 to 2017.

Ms. Updegraff's military career is marked by numerous promotions and accolades, including being for selected for battalion command, a position only 13% of those eligible to compete for selection, Army wide, are chosen. Her selection is further distinguished as her command was located on the DMZ in South Korea. She received several awards including the prestigious Horatio Gates Award and Bronze Medal awarded for her contributions to the human resources profession and volunteer service to the human resource professional association for fellow Army human resource professionals looking for mentorship, professional networking and opportunities. She is also distinguished as the first woman to win the Palmetto Saber at the University of South Carolina and earned 11 promotions throughout her tenure in the Army, which she began in 1993 as an enlisted logistics specialist and later, as an army officer candidate.

Ms. Updegraff's teaching experience includes a four-year tenure at West Point, where she found great fulfillment in guiding cadets through their academic and personal challenges. She further demonstrated her leadership capabilities in academia through her role as department chairman at the University of Memphis for two years. Her dedication to education is evident in her efforts to help students navigate failure and success while maintaining a balanced life.

Ms. Updegraff's success in multiple fields and roles stems from her equally diverse educational background. She earned a Master of Business Administration from Saint Martin's University in 2002 and a Master of Science in counselor education, school counseling and guidance services from Long Island University Post in 2005. Additionally, she completed coursework at the United States Army Command and General Staff College in 2012 and holds a Bachelor of Arts in sociology from the University of South Carolina, obtained in 1998.

Beyond her professional accomplishments, Ms. Updegraff is actively involved in civic activities as a volunteer within her local community. Her commitment to service is reflected in her membership with Alpha Kappa Delta, an organization that aligns with her values of fostering strong relationships and supporting small businesses and local enterprises.

In her personal life, Ms. Updegraff's documented achievements include 10 years of intensive study of the Japanese language, and having run 39 full marathons, two ultra-marathons and numerous half-marathons. These continued activities, despite surviving a 4X4 center brain tumor, have empowered her to live life to the fullest. Looking to the future with continued ambition, she aspires to participate in marathons across all 50 states and on every continent, with a particular desire to join the Berlin Marathon. Embracing challenges is a cornerstone of her professional and personal growth, inspiring her to set ambitious goals and accomplish remarkable feats.

About Marquis Who's Who®:
Since 1899, when A. N. Marquis printed the First Edition of Who's Who in America®, Marquis Who's Who® has chronicled the lives of the most accomplished individuals and innovators from every significant field of endeavor, including politics, business, medicine, law, education, art, religion and entertainment. Who's Who in America® remains an essential biographical source for thousands of researchers, journalists, librarians and executive search firms around the world. The suite of Marquis® publications can be viewed at the official Marquis Who's Who® website, www.marquiswhoswho.com.

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