Publications and Presentations
  1. Yukhymenko-Lescroart, M. A. & Sharma, G. (2024). Exploring Academic Identity, Degree Commitment, and Life Purpose in First-Time Full-Time College Students: A Six-Year Degree Attainment Study (2017-2023). Journal of College Student Retention: Research, Theory & Practice.
  2. Yukhymenko-Lescroart, M., Sharma, G., & Voiedilova, O. (2024). Examining the Power of Life Purpose During Times of War: Exploring the Relationship Between Purpose Orientations and Career Adaptability in Ukrainian University Students. Journal of College Student Development.
  3. Sharma, G., & Yukhymenko-Lescroart, M. A. (2023). Counseling students' experiences and interpretations of purpose development. Heliyon.
  4. Yukhymenko-Lescroart, M. A., Sharma, G., & Voiedilova, O. (2023). Thriving amidst adversity: Flourishing and Grit in Ukrainian college students with strong life purpose before and after the onset of the Russian war in Ukraine. Heliyon.
  5. Sharma, G., & Yukhymenko-Lescroart, M. A. (2022). A framework for cultivating purpose as a pedagogy of care. Italian Journal of Educational Technology.
  6. Yukhymenko-Lescroart, M. A. & Sharma, G. (2022). The role of life purpose and passion for coaching in subjective well-being of sport coaches. International Journal of Sport and Exercise Psychology.
  7. Sharma, G. & Yukhymenko-Lescroart, M.A. (2022). Life Purpose as a Predictor of Resilience and Persistence in College Students During the COVID-19 Pandemic. Journal of College Student Retention: Research, Theory & Practice.
  8. Yukhymenko-Lescroart, M. A., & Sharma, G. (2022). The role of coaching identity and life purpose orientations in holistic athlete development. International Journal of Sports Science & Coaching.
  9. Sharma, G., Yukhymenko-Lescroart, M. A., & Scarton, C. (2021). Purpose and career development: Implications for career counseling and counselor education. International Journal for Educational and Vocational Guidance.
  10. Yukhymenko-Lescroart, M. A., & Sharma, G. (2021). Measuring specific purpose orientations in working adults. Applied Research in Quality of Life.
  11. Sharma, G., Kim, J., & Bernal, K. (2021). The Relationship between the High School Sophomores’ Purpose Orientations and their Post-Secondary Education Completion a Decade Later. Professional School Counseling Journal.
  12. Yukhymenko-Lescroart, M. A., & Sharma, G. (2020). Passion for Work and Well-Being of Working Adults. Journal of Career Development.
  13. Sharma, G. & Yukhymenko-Lescroart, M.A. (2018). The Relationship between College Students’ Sense of Purpose and Degree Commitment. Journal of College Student and Development.
  14. Sharma, G. & de Alba, E. (2018). Sense of Purpose among Female Students belonging to Minority Ethnic and Buddhist Backgrounds. Journal of College and Character.
  15. Sharma, G., Yukhymenko-Lescroart, M.A., & Kang, Z. (2017). Sense of Purpose Scale: Development and initial validation. Applied Developmental Science.



Speaking Engagements
  1. Sharma G. (2024, November). I am Enough: Letting Go of Expectations. Panelist at Asian Women Mentoring Workshop, CA.
  2. Sharma, G. (2024, October). 3 Steps to Transform Stress into Joy and Fulfillment: Harnessing the Power of Purpose and Self-Worth. Presented at Global Women Power Summit and Expo, CA.
  3. Sharma, G. (2024, September). Aligned and Fulfilled: Embracing Purpose, Self-Worth, and Harmonious Passion for Work. Presented at Google, Santa Cruz, CA.
  4. Sharma, G. (2024, May). Sense of Purpose in Life. Presented at Purpose Convention, Stanford, CA.
  5. Sharma, G. (2024, March). Bridging the Diversity-Inclusion Gap for Optimal Performance and Advancement Opportunities for All. Panel Presentation at CXO 2.0 Conference, Las Vegas, Nevada.
  6. Sharma, G. & Castillo, Y. (2023, October). Creating welcoming spaces for clients. Presented at Texas Counseling Association, Austin, Texas.
  7. Sharma, G. & Yukhymenko-Lescroart, M. (2023, April). Fostering High School Students’ Sense of Purpose and Self-Esteem. Presented at American Educational Research Association, Chicago, IL.
  8. Sharma, G. & Castillo, Y. (2023, April). Cultivating Wisdom, Courage, and Compassion as Tenants of Global Citizenship. Presented at 2023 Cohen Conference: Places and Spaces for Peace, IN.
  9. Sharma, G.& Yukhymenko-Lescroart, M. (2022, April). Life purpose as a predictor of resilience and persistence during the COVID-19 pandemic. Presented at American Educational Research Association, San Diego, CA.
  10. Sharma, G. (2022, April). Role of education in fostering wisdom, courage, and compassion as key tenets of global citizenship. Presented at American Educational Research Association, San Diego, CA.
  11. Dedeoglu, Y. N. & Sharma, G. (2022, March). Healthy Environments and Response to Trauma in Schools (HEARTS): The Impact of Trauma-Informed School Program in the Time of COVID-19. Presented at Evidence-Based School Counseling Conference.
  12. Sharma, G. & Mehta, R. (2022, November). Cultivating Wellness. Presented at California State University, Fresno, CA.
  13. Sharma, G., Karageozian, G., & Vue, A. (2021, November). Mental health and wellness at Fresno State. Presented at Fresno State Academic Affairs and Leadership Team Meeting, Fresno, CA.
  14. Sharma, G. & De Alba Bastarrechea, E. (2018, June). Sense of Purpose among Female Students belonging to Minority Ethnic and Buddhist Backgrounds. Presented at the American Humanistic Counseling Association Conference, Tampa, FL.
  15. Sharma, G. & Sakakini, R. (2016, June). Sense of purpose and persistence among students. Presented at Western Association for College Admission Counseling Annual Conference. Los Angeles, CA.