Audra Vaz is the Assistant Dean for Advancement and Lead Senior Director of Development for the School of Music and the Koger Center for the Arts. She oversees the fundraising, development communications, alumni engagement and donor relations functions in each, with the goal of developing philanthropic relationships with our many communities.

Audra has more than 30 years of Advancement experience. She previously worked at Appalachian State University and Florida Atlantic University in both their Arts/Music programs, as well as for several nonprofit organizations with missions dedicated to residential foster care, developmental disabilities, and disaster relief.

Dr. Vaz teaches in the Music Industry Studies program. Her husband Johann is a classically trained musician, and her children Brenna ’17 and Derrick ‘20 are former members of the Carolina Band. All three continue to perform while Audra is trying (tragically) to learn the cello.

She holds a Bachelor of Science in Communications from Grand Valley State University, a Master of Nonprofit Management from Florida Atlantic University, and a Doctorate in Education from Appalachian State University. Dr. Vaz is a philanthropy researcher, as well, and has presented her research nationally and internationally.