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Capstone

We take tremendous pride in the work that Brooks MPA Students accomplish through the Capstone program each semester. Our partnerships with government and nonprofit organizations result in new programs, strategies, policy assessments, business plans, and more; these deliverables are valuable to our clients. The projects are also an indispensable component of the MPA Program curriculum, providing students with important hands-on research and leadership experience. Below, please find a summary of recent team projects.

 

The capstone project was a challenging but invaluable experience. I worked on a three-person team conducting research on participation of immigrants in the U.S. workforce. I applied the quantitative and qualitative research methods that I’d learned in coursework. Because of this project, I was fortunate to fnd my passion and interest in the felds of immigration and workforce development.

– Aikeda Aierken, MPA student

 

Capstone Partners

MPA Program Capstone Partners

Global Livingston Institute: Lira, Uganda

 

Recent Team Projects

Global Livingston Institute: Lira, Uganda

The MPA Program has partnered with the Global Livingston Institute (GLI) for the past three years exploring ways to empower a local population of former child soldiers. In spring 2018, the organization launched an agricultural training program for small farmers including former child soldiers based on the research and recommendations of capstone teams. This semester’s team will analyze baseline data and develop a follow-up study to track progress and identify successes, and barriers to success, of the new farmer training program. The team will offer recommendations for strengthening the training program, gathering data moving forward, increasing market opportunities, and possibly expanding the program and developing farmer cooperatives in surrounding areas. GLI Farming Collaborative.

MPA Program Concentrations: International DevelopmentHuman Rights & Social JusticePublic & Nonprofit Management

Inter-American Development Bank

As part of the Inter-American Development Bank’s Salud Mesoamerica Initiative, a results-based financing initiative that aims to decrease health inequities in eight countries in Central America, a capstone team will analyze data gathered from dozens of health facilities in Belize. The team will use health facility surveys to measure the relative impacts of intervention strategies implemented to improve access to and quality of care provided by health facilities since 2014. Upon completion of the data analysis, the team will draft an article for publication in a peer-reviewed journal.

MPA Program Concentrations: Public & Nonprofit ManagementInternational DevelopmentSocial Policy

United States Government Accountability Office: Denver, Colorado

In consultation with the GAO, a capstone team will conduct research on an unregulated class of chemical contaminants known as PFAS which has been found in drinking water and ground water. Several states are developing safety standards, but currently there are no national guidelines in place. The capstone team will explore alternatives to PFAS use, health and safety implications, current efforts for regulation, clean up and related costs. The final report will provide information that can potentially be used to inform the development of standards for PFAS regulation at the national level. Related GAO Research: https://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-18-700T

Ithaca Health Alliance (IHA)

Capstone students helped find new funding sources and develop grant applications for IHA, a local nonprofit community-based health organization that facilitate access to healthcare for all, especially the uninsured. The Capstone team conducted a comprehensive literature review, developed two case studies on similar nonprofits, and conducted interviews with IHA management. Their research provided substantive recommendations for new grant sources and branding, both of which can improve IHA’s fundraising. Additionally, the team drafted a sample grant proposal and provided opportunities for funding from community-based foundations.

MPA Program Concentrations: Public & Nonprofit ManagementSocial Policy


Information for Clients/Potential Partners

We are currently accepting proposals for Capstone and Consulting Projects.

If you think that your nonprofit or government organization could benefit from consulting work done by graduate students enrolled in our MPA Program, please complete a project proposal by clicking on the button below.

For questions or more information, please contact Associate Director of Public Engagement & Capstone Programs, Laurie Miller.

Proposal for Capstone and Consulting Projects