CapSource

ProgramsTest Capstone Fall 2026

Test Capstone Fall 2026

Program Overview
Program Title	Test Capstone Fall 2026
Organization	University of Study, Test
Student Application Link	https://capsource.app/program/test-capstone-fall-2026/rfp
# of Students Enrolled	1
# of Projects Running	2 Project/s Added (of Expected)
Program Timeline Project Duration	Start Date: 11/09/26 End Date: 12/11/26 1 month

Collaboration Overview
About Students	Students participating in this program are upper-level undergraduate students studying Sociology and Public Health at The University of Texas at Dallas, with many completing the experience near the end of their undergraduate studies. The course functions as a capstone-style experience in which students apply knowledge and skills developed throughout their academic programs to a real organizational challenge. By this point in their studies, students have significant exposure to research methods and are prepared to explore how those capabilities can be applied in professional environments. UT Dallas Public Health students study the social, structural, and cultural factors that influence health at the individual and population levels. Their curriculum includes preparation in social epidemiology, statistics, research methods, program development, and program evaluation. Sociology students similarly develop skills in empirical analysis and professional communication while learning to apply sociological perspectives in settings such as corporations, government agencies, nonprofit organizations, policy research, social services, education, and health care. Depending on team composition and project needs, students may bring capabilities in qualitative and quantitative research, secondary data analysis, survey and interview research, literature review, program evaluation, stakeholder analysis, data interpretation, social inequality, health disparities, community research, and professional communication. The experience is also intentionally designed to develop students' confidence operating in professional environments. Students practice interacting with organizational stakeholders, asking effective questions, responding to feedback, managing project responsibilities, presenting research findings, and explaining how their academic skills create value outside the classroom. Student Level: Bachelor Degree Student Time Commitment: Full Time Team Structure: 4 - 6 Student Level: Bachelor Degree Student Time Commitment: Full Time Team Structure: -
Program Goals	Through the Applied Research Consulting Project, students will: Apply sociology, public health, and social science research skills to an authentic organizational challenge. Translate an ambiguous organizational problem into focused and answerable research questions. Determine which qualitative, quantitative, or mixed research approaches are appropriate for the project. Conduct credible secondary research using academic, governmental, nonprofit, industry, and other appropriate sources. Analyze existing organizational or public datasets where appropriate. Design and conduct surveys, interviews, focus groups, observations, or other forms of primary research when feasible. Apply research methods outside of a traditional academic research-paper environment. Analyze stakeholder, employee, community, client, patient, or population needs as appropriate to the challenge. Evaluate organizational programs, interventions, policies, or services using available evidence. Identify meaningful patterns, gaps, barriers, disparities, and opportunities. Translate research findings into clear, evidence-based recommendations for organizational decision-makers. Consider social context, equity, health disparities, community impact, and unintended consequences when appropriate. Communicate research findings clearly to both technical and non-technical audiences. Strengthen teamwork, project management, client communication, professional writing, and presentation skills. Learn how to solicit, interpret, and respond professionally to substantive client feedback. Build confidence explaining how social science and public health research skills can create value in professional settings. Develop a meaningful, resume-ready experience that students can discuss in interviews and future professional opportunities.
Format Structure	Single Project Single Team
Format Title	Test Live Case Fall
Format Description	Class project framed as a live case study for one or more student teams to work on.
Benefits For Industry Partners	Participating organizations receive focused research and analysis from a team of upper-level Sociology and Public Health students while helping prepare emerging professionals for careers in public health, nonprofits, research, government, community organizations, and other sectors. Applied Research Capacity Student teams can investigate organizational questions that staff recognize as important but may not have the time or resources to research comprehensively. Program & Service Evaluation Students can examine existing programs, initiatives, interventions, or services; assess available evidence; identify gaps; and develop recommendations for improvement. Stakeholder & Community Insight Projects can help organizations better understand the needs, experiences, attitudes, behaviors, and barriers affecting employees, clients, patients, students, residents, or other stakeholder populations. Public Health & Social Impact Perspective Students can apply frameworks related to social determinants of health, health disparities, inequality, community well-being, organizational systems, and social context where relevant to the project. Evidence-Based Recommendations The goal is not simply to produce a deliverable. Student teams investigate the underlying problem and use research findings to explain why a particular recommendation should be considered. Fresh Interdisciplinary Thinking Teams may combine Sociology and Public Health students, giving organizations perspectives that cross population health, social science, organizational, workforce, policy, and community lenses. Emerging Talent & Mentorship Partners interact directly with students approaching the workforce and have an opportunity to observe their research ability, communication, initiative, professionalism, teamwork, and responsiveness to feedback.
Project Modality	Fully Remote

Industry Partner Requirements to Participate
Project Topics	Corporate Social Responsibility Organizational Culture Strategic Planning Training & Development
Target Industries	Aerospace & Defense Agriculture & Farming Arts & Recreation Biotech & Pharmaceuticals Computers & Hardware Construction, Repair & Maitenance Consulting & Professional Services Consumer Products & Services Education & Ed-Tech Energy & Utilities Fashion & Apparel Finance & Investment Food & Beverage Government Health Care & Life Sciences Insurance Manufacturing & Industrial Media, Publishing & Content Natural Resources Non-Profit & Social Impact Public Works Real Estate Restaurants, Hospitality & Food Service Retail & E-Commerce Semiconductor Software, AI & Data Sports & Entertainment Sustainability & Climate Telecommunications Transportation & Logistics Travel & Tourism
Skills & Expertise	Applied Research
Location Information & Preferences	Located Anywhere The program welcomes organizations from Dallas–Fort Worth, throughout the United States, and internationally. Local organizations are especially attractive when students can benefit from optional site visits, community exposure, or in-person interaction. However, strong remote projects are equally appropriate. International projects are explicitly welcomed when the project can be completed virtually, and the organization can maintain regular communication with the student team.
Sponsorship	Sponsorship Requested (Optional): Pre-Revenue Startup an exact contribution amount of $ Growth Startup an exact contribution amount of $ Small to Medium Business an exact contribution amount of $ Large Enterprise an exact contribution amount of $ Government Organization an exact contribution amount of $ Non-Profit an exact contribution amount of $
Compensation	Following compensation will be offered to the students: Between $12.0 to $18.0 per hour
Other Requirements	The strongest projects will begin with a real research question or organizational problem rather than a predetermined production task. Participating Industry Partners should be prepared to: Provide a meaningful organizational, community, workforce, policy, social, or public health challenge that requires investigation and analysis. Ensure the project contains a substantive research component. Allow students to explore the problem and develop findings rather than simply execute predefined instructions. Designate an engaged project manager or mentor who is interested in working directly with students. Participate in a kickoff meeting to explain the organization, challenge, stakeholders, and desired outcomes. Meet with students regularly throughout the project, ideally weekly or biweekly. Provide candid, substantive feedback rather than simply approving student work. Challenge students to revise or deepen their work when additional analysis is needed. Share appropriate organizational context, reports, datasets, research, policies, or other relevant materials when possible. Facilitate reasonable access to employees, clients, community members, users, subject-matter experts, or other stakeholders when primary research is appropriate. Help students understand how research is used in the organization's actual decision-making process. Participate in a final presentation or review final recommendations whenever possible. Projects should not primarily consist of routine administrative or production work such as simply creating a website, producing social media content, entering data, or completing repetitive tasks. Communication, marketing, or digital deliverables may be part of a project when they emerge from a substantive research and analytical process. Partner engagement is particularly important. Dr. Skaggs noted that prior projects were strongest when organizational mentors provided explicit feedback, asked students to revisit work, and helped them understand professional expectations rather than merely approving each step.
Expected Time Commitment For Project Managers	1 Hour per week

Key Program Dates	Due Date
Official Program Launch We’ll find a time on this day for you to meet with the students to kick off your project.	Nov 09 2026
Proposal Application Deadline Final date for Industry Partners to express interest in participating.	Nov 09 2026, 10:13 AM ET
Finalize Project Charter Educators and Industry Partners finalize project charters, legal documents, and background materials.	Nov 09 2026, 10:13 AM ET
Request for Proposal published Collaboration request published. Industry Partners may express interest in participating.	Nov 09 2026, 10:13 AM ET
Interview Educators will begin interviewing interested Industry Partners to discuss project ideas.	Nov 09 2026, 10:13 AM ET
Official Program End We’ll find a time on this day for you to meet with the students to wrap up your project.	Dec 11 2026

Case Assessment

Case Title	Topics
Recommend Steps for Recruitment in Building Diverse Leadership Teams	Corporate Social Responsibility

Project Overview

Project Details

Project Title

Strategic Workforce Planning Analysis For Cap Source Technologies

Project Synopsis

What is the challenge or opportunity you are trying to address within your organization?

CapSource Technologies is a dynamic company specializing in providing experiential learning opportunities that connect students with real-world business projects. Known for its innovative approach to education and professional development, CapSource excels in creating impactful learning experiences that benefit both students and businesses. However, the company faces a challenge in strategically planning its workforce to align with its ambitious growth goals. As the demand for CapSource's services increases, there is a pressing need to ensure that the right skills and talents are in place to support this growth.

The current gap in CapSource's talent management strategy can result in missed opportunities, inefficiencies, and an inability to fully capitalize on market opportunities. This project offers an exciting opportunity for students to address this challenge by conducting a strategic workforce planning analysis. Students will assess the current workforce structure, identify skills gaps, and propose strategies for optimizing talent management to align with CapSource's long-term objectives.

The project is divided into several key phases, including stakeholder analysis, data collection and interpretation, strategic plan development, and presentation of findings. Each phase offers students the chance to apply their academic skills in a professional setting, gaining valuable insights into corporate strategy and operations. This practical experience is ideal for students as it allows them to explore career-relevant skills such as consulting, operations management, and strategic planning.

By participating in this project, students will gain a thorough understanding of workforce planning and its significance in achieving business success. They will develop competencies in empirical analysis, professional communication, and strategic thinking. This real-world application of academic skills not only enhances students' employability but also provides them with a sense of accomplishment and contribution to a meaningful business objective.

What are some of the activities or action items you think will need to be taken to achieve your desired results?

Conduct a stakeholder analysis to identify key personnel and their roles within CapSource.
Develop and distribute surveys to gather data on current workforce skills and capabilities.
Analyze survey results to identify gaps in current workforce capabilities.
Conduct interviews with key stakeholders to gain qualitative insights into workforce needs.
Perform secondary data analysis to identify industry trends and benchmarks.
Develop a strategic workforce plan that aligns with CapSource's long-term goals.
Present findings and recommendations to CapSource management.
Develop a detailed implementation plan for the proposed workforce strategy.
Evaluate the potential impact of the proposed plan on CapSource's business objectives.
Prepare a final report documenting the research process, findings, and recommendations.

What would make this project a success for your organization? What measurable results are you looking to accomplish?

Identify and articulate CapSource's current workforce gaps and needs.
Develop a strategic workforce plan that aligns with CapSource's growth objectives.
Enhance students' skills in research methods, data analysis, and strategic planning.
Provide actionable recommendations for optimizing talent management at CapSource.
Improve students' professional communication and presentation skills.
Provide CapSource with a comprehensive analysis of its current talent management strategy.
Enhance students' understanding of the application of sociology and public health principles in corporate settings.
Deliver a final report that serves as a valuable resource for CapSource's strategic planning efforts.

Compensation

Following compensation will be offered to the students

Between $12.0 to $18.0 per hour

Sponsorship

Project Partners are ENCOURAGED to offer Sponsorships according to the following:

Organization Type	Offer
Pre-Revenue Startup	Exact amount of $
Growth Startup	Exact amount of $
Small to Medium Business	Exact amount of $
Large Enterprise	Exact amount of $
Government Organization	Exact amount of $
Non-Profit	Exact amount of $

Resources

CapSource's current organizational chart and workforce data

Program Timeline

Due Date	Activities	Deliverables	Status	Action
Mon, 11/09/26	Program Kickoff	No Deliverables No deliverables are required for this action item.
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Projects

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Program Managers

Name	Organization
Educator Test Account	Florida State University

Teams

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