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Today’s the Day: MENV Students Get Their 2025 Capstone Assignments! 🎉

What Is the Capstone Project?
The Capstone Project is a key part of the ºù«ÍÞÊÓƵ’s Masters of the Environment (MENV) program. Since 2017, students have worked with organizations from the public, private, and nonprofit sectors to solve real-world environmental challenges.

This hands-on experience is more than just a project—it’s a chance for students to gain the skills, connections, and confidence to step into the environmental field after graduation and make a difference.

How Does It Work?
Here’s a quick look at how MENV students take on their Capstone Projects, from start to finish:

• Mid-Summer: MENV asks new and returning partners to submit project proposals.
• Fall Semester:
  • MENV reviews proposals for academic and professional value.
  • Students start Capstone Innovation Lab 1 (CIL 1) to explore project ideas.
  • Students attend the Capstone Networking Event to meet potential partners and rank their top choices.
  • Teams are matched with projects right before winter break.
• Spring Semester:
  • Students begin Capstone Innovation Lab 2 (CIL 2).
  • Teams work with their Capstone Advisors to set goals and create a Team Charter and Scope of Work.
• Summer: Students dedicate 300 hours to their projects. They might do fieldwork, collect data, engage with communities, or travel to project sites.
• Fall Semester:
  • Teams create Capstone Posters and Project Briefs.
  • Before Fall Break, they present their work at the Capstone Symposium.
  • Final deliverables are submitted after Fall Break, marking the end of the Capstone journey.

2024 Capstone Stats

This year’s Capstone Projects show how diverse and impactful the program is:

• 26 projects total.
• 10 nonprofit, 8 public, and 8 private sector projects.
• 69% of projects include financial compensation for students.

Student's Perspective

Mikey Jacobs, first-year Environmental and Natural Resource Policy specialization student, shared his take on his pairing for his Capstone Project with Z2 Entertainment. 

"When applying to CU ºù«ÍÞÊÓƵ’s MENV program, I was drawn to the faculty’s clear commitment to supporting innovative, interdisciplinary research. I saw an opportunity to pioneer a largely untapped field: music sustainability. As an artist deeply immersed in the music world, I yearned to bridge my passions with my academic pursuits.

The MENV program exceeded my expectations. My advisors and project leads provided invaluable guidance, from strategic planning and helping me secure industry partnerships to supporting the development of my project. This support system fostered an environment where I could confidently pursue my vision, creating a unique niche within the music industry. 

Through this experience, I’ve not only gained valuable academic knowledge but also developed practical skills and built meaningful connections. I am incredibly proud to be a part of the Forever Buffs community and confident that my work will contribute to a more sustainable future for the music industry." 

Spotlight on Partners and Projects

We’re thrilled to introduce this year’s lineup of incredible partners and projects.