Editor’s note: This story is part of a series of profiles of notable fall 2024 graduates.
Chazz Duran originally intended to pursue a degree in vocal performance, but when the COVID-19 pandemic forced classes to move online, his plans shifted. The California resident was inspired to pursue a degree in speech and hearing science instead.
“Having to switch to an online lifestyle caused my desires to change,” he said. “I took the opportunity to follow my education goals through Starbucks.”
Duran enrolled at Arizona State University through the Starbucks College Achievement Plan, a first-of-its-kind partnership with ASU that creates an opportunity for all eligible U.S. partners (employees) to earn their first-time bachelor’s degree through ASU’s top-ranked online degree program, ASU Online.
“I knew I planned on staying with Starbucks for a while, and it provided me with an incredible opportunity to get a degree debt-free,” he said.
While pursuing his degree online, Duran also balanced community involvement and his work schedule.
“A lot of our store managers included me in community events they did with the city,” he said. “For the past four years, I’ve run with the San Bernardino California Highway Patrol in their torch run for the Special Olympics because of our Starbucks connections.”
ASU News spoke with the new graduate about his experience pursuing his degree online and his plans for life after college.
Note: Answers have been edited lightly for length and/or clarity.
Question: What was your “aha” moment when you realized you wanted to study the field you majored in?
A: I knew I wanted to do something with the voice. I was telling my cousin, a speech pathologist, about my goals and my struggles with music school being online. She encouraged me to look into the different ways speech pathologists work with patients with voice disorders.
Q: What’s something you learned through ASU Online that surprised you or changed your perspective?
A: Applied Health Experiences with Cara Sidman: This course looked at connectivity and how our cities could be designed better to help us connect with the people around us, which leads to living a healthier life.
We looked at "Blue Zones," where people live to over 100 years old, and compared those cities to our own. I happen to live next to a Blue Zone city — Loma Linda, California — and it was fun to look at that city and see the similarities and differences compared to where I live.
Also, it was impactful to realize that being connected to others is crucial for our health. It encouraged me to get rid of my smartphone for nine months and focus on how I interact with people on a day-to-day basis. Although most of society is chronically online, I realized I love meeting new people while standing in line. Destigmatize saying hi to people while you’re waiting in line.
Q: Why did you choose ASU Online?
A: Starbucks provided a unique opportunity that was only available at this university.
Q: Which professor taught you the most important lesson while at ASU Online?
A: Honestly, it would be my success coach, Gerry Valencia Martinez. I did not start off managing my online courses well. I failed a few classes simply because I mismanaged my time. The online transition was rough for me, and I thought I had more time than I did to complete coursework. It took failing a couple of classes and my success coach to give me a reality check.
Gerry encouraged me to get my act together because I was so close to graduating. He also cautioned me about overloading my credits. Since that coaching session, I dedicated more time to my courses (mostly by coming in early to my shifts or staying late to work on school), took a hiatus from performing (a passion of mine but very time consuming) and worked hard to raise my GPA and finish strong. I raised my GPA from 2.7 one term to 3.8 the next term. Gerry honestly helped me a lot by letting me see the light at the end of the tunnel.
Q: What was your favorite spot for power studying?
A: Starbucks. I would usually go to a different Starbucks location from where I worked, either before or after my shifts. I would have liked to go to smaller, local coffee shops, but they usually do not have as good air conditioning, and they’re more crowded and cost a lot more.
Q: What are your plans after graduation?
A: I plan to get certified and start working as a speech-language pathology assistant (SLPA).
When I become an SLPA, I anticipate working with children at a school because that seems to be where the largest caseloads are. Eventually, I want to work with adults, specifically in voice disorders, either at a clinic or hospital, with people who have voice damage from speaking or singing, or even people recovering from throat surgeries or injuries.
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