THURSDAY, JUNE 6TH, 2024
4:00 - 6:00PM
UNIVERSITY PLACE HOTEL, WILLAMETTE ROOM
The Foundation: Capstone Background
Over ten years ago, undergraduate students were introduced to an opportunity to apply the tools of business strategy to real-world clients. Portland State University “was one of the first undergraduate business programs to have seniors work with companies or non-profits in multidisciplinary teams much like MBA programs do,” said Melissa Appleyard, Ames professor of management of innovation & technology.
Each year every senior undergraduate business student completes a 6-credit capstone course. BA495 is the final requirement for all business majors. Throughout the project, students collaborate in multidisciplinary teams, aiming to combine their skills and test their core competencies.
Additionally, students will be experiencing the University Studies learning goals (capabilities in Communication; Inquiry and Critical Thinking; Diversity, Equity, and Social Justice; and Ethics, Agency, and Community) during this project. It is an opportunity for students to experience the intersection of applied and critical skills.
The course consists of collaborating with community partners as clients to develop a business analysis aligned with the University Studies learning goals. Clients provide the students with any necessary resources required for the project. Students are expected to manage this relationship and be owners of the project–essentially acting as a consulting network for their client. Appleyard highlights how “the feedback from the clients has been extremely positive regarding the value of the recommendations crafted by the student teams.”
Celebrating Student Excellence: Capstone Showcase
On June 6, from four to six in the evening, an event of immense significance will unfold—the first undergraduate business capstone showcase. It's about “highlighting the hard work of our students and faculty and the invaluable partnership of local companies” said Buyuksahin.
During the first hour and a half, over ten nominated student teams will present their projects. This event is intended to showcase students' hard work and our commitment to being a valuable part of the community and economy. Bill Jones, the first capstone program manager, explained how they've been given the opportunity to tackle “real-world projects that in many cases the client used in their day-to-day work” and come up with innovative solutions.
Later in the event, students can network among the participating companies. “This year, we are focusing on the companies who have already submitted or partnered being a client in the past,” said Buyuksahin. Next year the goal is to invite even more companies to join in– including companies interested in partnering with PSU in the future– and to continue to increase the diversity of projects and clients represented.
If you are interested in learning more, check out this year’s Capstone Showcase 2024 webpage. The Senior Business Capstone program benefits both students and the community, if you’re interested in pursuing a project contact the Undergraduate Capstone Community Partnership Manager Hande Buyuksahin at ozer@pdx.edu.