ASU Online grad with dual degree sets sights on wildlife conservation

Growing up on the move — living in states ranging from Alaska to Hawaii, Missouri to Oregon — Cori Sharp says finding stability and pursuing long-term goals was always top of mind.

After graduating from Liberty High School in Peoria, Arizona, Sharp relocated to Seattle to attend community college before transferring to a university. But life had other ideas.

Needing to find work quickly, she joined Starbucks — and, in doing so, discovered the company’s partnership with Arizona State University.

The Starbucks College Achievement Plan is a first-of-its-kind partnership with ASU that allows all eligible U.S. partners (employees) to earn their first-time bachelor’s degree through ASU’s top-ranked online degree programs.

Though college was always part of the plan, attending online wasn’t initially part of Sharp's vision. What began as a temporary plan to earn a few credits online soon became a long-term academic journey.

After briefly transferring to the University of Washington, she returned to ASU in 2022, finding the perfect balance between work, life and education through ASU Online.

The support, quality and flexibility ASU offered exceeded her expectations, and she hasn’t looked back since.

While at ASU, Sharp participated in a study abroad program — a three-week trip to Argentina and Antarctica with in-person and online ASU students.

“It was incredible being able to see Antarctica, and I am happy to say I have now officially been to all continents,” she said. “It was really rewarding getting to meet other ASU students in person.”

This spring, Sharp graduates with a Bachelor of Science in both anthropology and biological sciences with a minor in geography. She’ll also earn two certificates, one in evolutionary medicine and one in geographic information science.

“I was fortunate to receive the Starbucks College Achievement Plan benefit as well as the Joyce Foster Larson Scholarship,” Sharp said. “The tuition coverage and scholarship played a crucial role in my academic journey by alleviating financial stress and allowing me to focus on my studies and research. Thanks to this support, I was able to fully engage in my coursework, participate in meaningful research projects and work toward my goal of graduating from ASU.”

We spoke with Sharp about her ASU Online experience and what she hopes to accomplish after graduation.

Question: What was your “aha” moment when you realized you wanted to study the field you majored in?

Answer: I’ve known since I was a little girl that I wanted to work in wildlife conservation. Nature and animals have always fascinated me, and I knew early on that I wanted my future to focus on protecting and understanding wildlife.

My “aha” moment for studying biology came during my high school biology class, where I became captivated by the science behind ecosystems and species interactions. Later, in college, I realized that to be an effective wildlife conservationist, I needed a deeper understanding of human dynamics. That realization led me to add anthropology as a second major, recognizing that successful conservation efforts require insight into the ways human cultures and behaviors impact the natural world.

Q: What’s something you learned while at ASU Online — in the classroom or otherwise — that surprised you or changed your perspective?

A: One of the most surprising lessons I learned at ASU Online was realizing just how differently people view the world, especially when it comes to wildlife and natural world preservation.

I’ve always had a deep love for nature, and for a long time, I assumed that others shared the same passion. It took time for me to accept that not everyone prioritizes conservation in the same way and that people’s values and perspectives are shaped by diverse experiences. This realization challenged me to think more critically about communicating the importance of conservation in ways that resonate with different audiences. It ultimately strengthened my understanding of how to advocate for wildlife preservation more effectively.

Q: Why did you choose ASU Online?

A: I chose ASU Online because it offered the flexibility I needed while working full time and provided a high-quality education aligned with my academic goals. Initially, I planned to attend community college in Washington and then transfer to the University of Washington. However, after starting my job at Starbucks, I realized an online program would better fit my schedule.

ASU Online stood out for its strong biology program and the support it offers to working students. After experiencing the program firsthand, I appreciated the engaging courses, knowledgeable professors and the ability to balance my work and academic responsibilities effectively.

Q: Which professor taught you the most important lesson while at ASU Online?

A: Faculty Associate Jarod Raithel. I met with him shortly after the quarter started for the course ABS 470: Life History of Mammals because I wanted to ask his advice about next steps for graduate school and getting into a career in wildlife conservation.

At the beginning of the meeting, I had been feeling stressed about choosing the wrong path because I was under the impression that if I started working with one specific species, I would be stuck working with only that species for the entirety of my career. However, Jarod taught me there is so much more flexibility than what I had been picturing. He has worked with tons of different species, ranging from sharks to bears to elk to lizards. He really opened my eyes to the possibilities in my future and made me really excited for my next steps as a wildlife biologist because I never know where my career might take me next.

Q: What was your favorite or most meaningful course and why?

A: The most meaningful and impactful course I took at ASU was Environmental Ethics. This class was almost painful to go through, because it was incredibly depressing thinking about environmental ethics more than I ever had before, but I also feel that it was incredibly important to think about things more critically than I had previously. This class entirely changed how I thought about food production, produce production and the treatment of animals. I think about these lessons every day, and I actively try to better the world based on the ethics that I learned about.

Q: What’s the best piece of advice you’d give to those still in school?

A: Always make time for yourself. Regardless of work, school and life, you need to find a way to have a break. For me, I am the type of person who always stays busy and overworks myself. It is really hard for me to find time in my day-to-day life to relax or even to get more than four hours of sleep per night. 

However, I really value traveling, and I prioritize finding time (at least 4 weeks a year) to disconnect completely from school and work to travel somewhere fun, whether that be just a trip with my husband or a trip with friends. I always find time to go on an adventure. Traveling keeps me from burning out, so my advice to students is to find a way to shut out work and school to keep yourself from burnout in whatever way works best for you.

Q: What was your favorite spot for power studying?

A: My favorite spot for power studying has always been Panera. My best friend from high school, who also works at Starbucks and is participating in the SCAP program, has been my study partner for years. We started our tradition of weekly study sessions at Panera back in high school in Peoria, and we’ve continued it ever since. There’s something about the familiar environment, the steady flow of coffee and the shared focus that makes it the perfect place for us to stay motivated and productive. It’s more than just a study spot; it’s a part of our routine that has kept us connected and supported throughout our academic journeys.

Q: What are your plans after graduation?

A: I am happy to say that I got accepted for a PhD fellowship at Michigan State University, so I will continue my education with Dr. Jack Liu at MSU this upcoming fall. While I do not have a specific project designed yet, I will be working in the Fish and Wildlife Department using telecoupling and metacoupling techniques to study wildlife conservation. I am incredibly excited about this next step! After the fellowship, I hope to move back to Seattle for my postdoc.

Q: If someone gave you $40 million to solve one problem on our planet, what would you tackle?

A: I would invest in wildlife conservation and habitat preservation, particularly for primates like chimpanzees. Habitat destruction due to deforestation and human expansion threatens not only these species but entire ecosystems. By funding conservation programs, supporting sustainable land-use practices and promoting ethical research, we could help protect biodiversity and ensure that future generations can continue to learn from and coexist with these incredible animals.