Hokie ClubJustin Polk is a dedicated professional who graduated from Virginia Tech in 2020 with a degree in Crop and Environmental Soil Science and a minor in Plant Health Science. He chose this path because he believed it would offer him the most well-rounded education to pursue a meaningful career in agriculture and environmental science. Currently based in Raleigh, North Carolina, Justin works for the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), where he is a key member of the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS). This vital organization is dedicated to safeguarding global agriculture by preventing the introduction of harmful pests and organisms.
In his current role, Justin serves as the acting State Plant Health Director for Alabama and Mississippi, where he works diligently to protect the agricultural industry from potential threats. He is deeply passionate about lifelong learning and is committed to continuous professional development, always striving to stay at the forefront of his field. His work is also driven by a strong sense of public service, and he finds great fulfillment in making a positive impact on the lives of others. Justin believes that through both small acts of kindness and significant professional contributions, we all have the ability to create a better world for future generations.
Q: Why do you think it is important to give back to Virginia Tech Athletics?
JP: Giving back to Virginia Tech Athletics is about honoring our past, embracing our present, and investing in our future. By supporting our student athletes, we continue the legacy of excellence that Hokies before us have built. We also provide the resources and opportunities for the next generation to thrive and carry forward our proud traditions.
"For Those Who Have Passed, For Those To Come ... Reach For Excellence" perfectly embodies this spirit. It's a commitment to uphold the values and achievements of those who came before us, while paving the way for future successes. Every contribution helps create an environment where our athletes can reach their highest potential, both on and off the field.
Q: Why did you decide to attend Virginia Tech?
JP: My journey to Virginia Tech is a bit unconventional. During a deployment to Djibouti, Africa in 2008-2009, I provided security for a well drilling team searching for previously undiscovered sources of fresh water. As you can imagine, that’s a tough task in the Great Rift valley area of the Horn of Africa. Eventually, we succeeded. We found clean water and installed a new well with a 10,000-gallon water tank and a solar pump. In what had previously been a completely deserted remote valley, people began to settle within weeks. They used the water to first build mud huts, then plant small gardens, and eventually bring in livestock. The addition of clean water greatly transformed the lives of those people, and it created a change within me during the process.
This experience made me realize that something we often take for granted, something as simple as having clean water, can lead to stability. Stability fosters agriculture, and agriculture is the building block of society. After reading about the challenges we will face as our global population increases and fewer farmers work larger acreage farms, I knew we needed motivated individuals to address looming issues on the horizon. I knew I wanted to be one of those individuals. So, after being medically retired in 2017 from the US Army, due to injuries sustained in combat, I began the next part of my journey. I applied to Virginia Tech and thankfully was accepted because it’s the only university I applied to. In no time at all, Virginia Tech became my home, and it will forever be a place I love dearly.
Q: How has Virginia Tech Athletics impacted you?
JP: The athletics program has given me a vibrant community of fans and alumni to be a part of post-graduation. This community is more than just a group of individuals; it’s a network of passionate supporters who share a common bond and a collective mission. It's something that binds us together and provides us with a shared purpose, creating a sense of belonging that transcends time and distance.
It’s hard to properly encapsulate the emotion behind what it means to be a Hokie, but there is an undeniable feeling of unity and camaraderie that comes with it. When our athletics teams take the field or court respectively, there is a profound sense of ownership and pride that wells up within me. This pride isn't just about the game itself, but about being part of something larger than myself, a tradition of excellence and resilience that we all contribute to and uphold. The victories and challenges faced by our teams mirror our own personal journeys, making each moment on the field or court deeply significant.
Q: What is your favorite Virginia Tech sports memory?
JP: That's a tough one because a couple games immediately come to mind. I was at the 6OT game against UNC where Quincy Patterson II ran it in for the winning two-point conversion, and I was also at the first home game coming out of COVID when #10 UNC faced the loudest, most rowdy crowd I have ever seen and went home with a loss. Both were glorious wins, each equally beautiful in my eyes, but my favorite Virginia Tech Sports memory is certainly the JC Price quote after his win against UVA where he replied as to why he was getting emotional with, “It’s my school, this is home; that’s it.” That’s the one. That’s something I’ll always remember, and it fills me with pride to even think about.
Q: Why would you encourage other Virginia Tech Recent Graduates to give?
JP: As passionate Hokies, we all share a common goal: to see our teams succeed at the highest level. In this new era of Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL), our student-athletes need our support more than ever.
We have always been known for our blue-collar work ethic and determination. Now is the time to harness that spirit and come together to make a real difference. Every donation, no matter the size, plays a crucial role in empowering our student athletes to compete on an equal footing with our rivals.
It's time to back up our passion with action. Let's show our commitment by contributing whatever we can to support our Hokies. Together, we can level the playing field and pave the way for future success.
You can learn more about joining the Recent Grad Program by clicking here.