Active-duty service members are first graduates of maritime logistics degree

More than 1,330 undergraduate students are graduating from ASU’s W. P. Carey School of Business this fall, including the first cohort of students to complete the Associate of Science in logistics program with a maritime concentration, a 60-credit associate degree offered through ASU Online to active-duty, enlisted sailors, Marines and Coast Guardsmen. 

The degree is a partnership between the W. P. Carey School and the U.S. Naval Community College, or USNCC.

“This is my second attempt at college, and coming back has been one of the most meaningful decisions I’ve ever made,” says Kiley Loy, a second-class aircrew survival equipmentman, who lives in Norfolk, Virginia. 

“The first time around, I wasn’t fully ready, but returning gave me a chance to prove to myself that growth is possible at any stage. This time, I’m not just earning a degree: I’m building a future I’m proud of.”

Loy plans to continue her education at the W. P. Carey School by pursuing a Bachelor of Arts in applied business and technology solutions through ASU Online. 

Before enrolling in the program, military logistics specialist Joe Beasley worried he had been out of school too long or that he wouldn’t be able to keep up with the coursework while serving on active duty. But as graduation approaches, Beasley says he’s grateful he pushed through his doubts.

“This journey hasn’t been easy, but it’s been worth it,” says Beasley, who lives in Chesapeake, Virginia. “The professors were supportive and understanding of my responsibilities as a service member, and I would recommend every one of them to future students. I’m proud I decided to continue my education.”

Matt Simpson, a U.S. Coast Guard storekeeper, was drawn to the program because the content was already closely aligned with his work experience, and USNCC’s partnership with ASU simplified the enrollment process.

“Having a busy military career and two young children at home, I was unsure if I could handle a part-time college course load as well,” Simpson says. “I am glad to say I was able to handle it without much issue, although I did depend on a lot of support from my loving and understanding wife, Julia.”

As graduation approaches, Loy, Beasley and Simpson shared more about their W. P. Carey journeys and how their degrees will continue to aid their careers in logistics.

Kiley Loy

Question: Why did you choose to pursue the maritime degree?

Answer: I enlisted in the Navy in 2021 and quickly realized I wanted to make a career out of it. My goal is to become a supply officer. I knew that I wanted to take advantage of the opportunity the military provides to attend school at no cost, and this degree will give me a strong foundation in logistics, a skill that supply officers utilize daily.

Q: What’s something you learned at ASU that surprised you or changed your perspective?

A: How much my perspective could change just by hearing how other students approached the same problem. Being exposed to various academic backgrounds and ways of thinking taught me that there isn’t always one correct solution. Often, the best answers come from combining different viewpoints. It pushed me to think more flexibly and more creatively than I expected.

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

A: I initially took Associate Professor of evolutionary anthropology Thomas Morgan’s Bones, Stones, and Human Evolution class to fulfill a general education credit, but it ended up becoming my favorite course. His enthusiasm and the way he brought the material to life showed me that passion can come from unexpected places. It taught me to stay open to new subjects and experiences, because sometimes the things you explore out of curiosity end up having the most significant impact.

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

A: Master your time and stay persistent. Classes, work and life can pile up quickly, so learning to plan and break things into manageable pieces makes a huge difference. But perseverance is just as important. There will always be weeks that feel overwhelming or moments when things don’t click right away. If you stay consistent and keep pushing through, even small efforts add up. Good time management keeps you organized, and perseverance keeps you moving forward.

Q: What are your plans after graduation?

A: After graduation, I plan to stay at ASU and pursue a bachelor’s degree in business. Business has become a passion of mine because I enjoy understanding how organizations work, how leaders make decisions, how teams manage resources, and how good leadership can make or break an operation. I appreciate the problem-solving aspect and that business concepts are applicable everywhere, from small teams to global systems. Studying business feels meaningful to me because it equips me with the tools to lead, think strategically and make a tangible impact.

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

A: I would focus on improving sustainability by reducing waste in global supply chains. A major focus of ASU courses is sustainability, and it is a huge passion of mine. A significant portion of environmental impact stems not only from production, but from inefficiencies such as expired goods, excess inventory, and inefficient transportation routes that waste fuel and resources.

I would invest the money in projects that help companies and communities adopt cleaner, more efficient logistics systems — such as smarter routing technology, renewable energy-powered distribution hubs and programs that repurpose materials instead of sending them to landfills. Even small improvements in supply chain sustainability can create large, long-term benefits for the environment. By making the way we move and manage resources more efficient, we can reduce our footprint while still meeting the world’s needs.

Joe Beasley

Q: Why did you choose to pursue the maritime degree?

A: It aligns directly with my role in the military as a logistics specialist. During deployments and even at homeport, I’m constantly around cargo ships, and the classes I’ve taken at ASU have helped me understand what I see every day. The program connected real-world experience with academic knowledge in a way that made everything click.

Q: What’s something you learned at ASU that surprised you or changed your perspective?

A: I was genuinely surprised by how complex ocean shipping really is. Before starting this degree, I assumed these vessels were simply transporting containers from one place to another. I never realized the level of coordination, planning and global impact involved. Learning about maritime logistics opened my eyes to the essential role it plays in the world’s economies — whether a country is shipping materials, receiving goods, or supporting the companies responsible for transporting them. It made me appreciate the industry on an entirely new level.

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

A: Supply chain management Professor of Practice and co-director of the Master of Science in Entrepreneurship and Innovation Hitendra Chaturvedi taught me one of the most impactful lessons I learned during this program. His class introduced me to the importance of sustainability, and hearing his personal story — how pollution affected his home when he was growing up — was powerful. His motivation to create affordable, eco-friendly appliances for people in his country really stuck with me. His course had me thinking morally and critically the entire time. It was one of the best classes I’ve ever taken.

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

A: If you start college expecting to earn perfect grades in every class, that’s admirable — but don’t put unnecessary pressure on yourself. Aim high, but also pace yourself and take breaks to keep your mind fresh. I struggled with that mindset during a few classes, especially while juggling military life, and it took a toll on both my personal life and my mental health. Balance is key.

Q: What are your plans after graduation?

A: In about six years, I’ll have been with the military for 20 years and will become eligible to retire, so that remains one of my primary goals. Beyond that, I’d like to pursue a bachelor’s degree in logistics or a related field to build on what I’ve learned and keep growing professionally.

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

A: I would tackle homelessness. In almost every town in this country — and many around the world — empty buildings go unused. Instead of letting them deteriorate, we could convert these buildings into shelters that provide not only housing but also training programs. People could learn trades, develop new skills, and work toward “graduating” into stable, independent living. Not everyone has the same opportunities in life, and many people face difficult times or make mistakes. I would use the money to give homeless individuals and children a better chance to succeed.

Matt Simpson

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

A: I appreciated the advice from Joseph Van Orden, clinical associate professor of supply chain management and assistant dean of academic affairs, who taught my SCM 245: Logistics for Maritime Environment course. He recommended subscribing to professional publications to help students learn about and gain a better understanding of the topics and issues facing their chosen industry.

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

A: Start strong and finish strong. Every term/session is different, but starting and finishing strong should ensure success.

Q: What are your plans after graduation?

A: I will begin pursuing a bachelor’s degree in business part-time at W. P. Carey in spring 2026 while balancing my studies with my ongoing active-duty service in the Coast Guard. I would like to thank ASU’s academic advisors for their guidance throughout both my associate’s and bachelor’s degree programs. Everyone I have worked with at ASU has been extremely helpful. Also, shout-out to ASU for being so military-friendly and offering programs that support military members!

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

A: Sustainability has been a topic of focus while studying supply chain management. I would love to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to achieve carbon neutrality in the maritime shipping industry.