Capstone Advisors

MENV Capstone Advisors are the primary faculty points of contact for the Capstone Partners and Capstone student teams from February - December. Many of the advisors’ duties are akin to an academic advising position, detailed below.

Meetings

Capstone Advisors will conduct regular check-ins with students regarding their projects. Teams typically meet with their advisor once every two weeks. Meeting schedules and structure will be determined between advisor and advisees in the first part of the spring semester.

Advising

Capstone Advisors will advise students on the direction of their projects as well as help guide engagement with the Capstone Partner, as necessary. These tasks include:

  • Meet with students at the beginning of the semester to set a meeting schedule and expectations;
  • Conduct regular check-ins and coaching sessions with students regarding their projects;
  • Advise students on the direction of their projects as well as how they should engage with the Capstone Partner;
  • Guide students to establish appropriate project timeline & benchmarks;
  • Help as needed to create the substantive content of project planning, including project design, methods, budget, & resources;
  • Promote equitable workload and creative contributions among team members;
  • Connect students with other experts as needed or source required expertise. These “consultants” may be on- or off-campus;
  • Monitor and help ensure academic rigor of Capstone projects and adherence to Capstone project policies;
  • Help students problem-solve and prompt them to think creatively and critically about various aspects of their projects.

Engagement with Capstone Partners

Capstone Advisors should be the first point of contact for any concerns or questions that the Capstone Partner has; and involve the Capstone Manager, Kimberly Kosmenko, if needed. Advisors shall engage with and develop a relationship with the Capstone Partners. They will meet as needed.

Capstone Advisors will join at least one initial meeting, either in person or by phone or video conference between the Capstone Partner within three weeks after teams are formed in spring semester. Capstone Advisors will check in with Capstone Partners at the end of spring semester, at least once during the summer semester, and at least once during the fall semester. However, advisees are expected to have a high level of independence and take the lead in project design and implementation of their projects and interaction with the Capstone Partner.

Capstone Advisors may also provide memoranda to the Capstone Partners as well as the MENV faculty and staff periodically throughout the semester to keep all appraised of progress.