Our senior capstone is designed to connect students’ coursework in business to the operations of a real-world organization and facilitate the transition from student to professional. Student teams function as consultants, with the guidance of a faculty supervisor, to analyze an organizational situation, develop recommendations, and implement an appropriate project by working with representatives from “client” community organizations. Each team accomplishes its project, completes a project report and group process assessment and presents its results to the client. Additionally, our consultants may offer a ‘green’ assessment, to promote energy efficiency and sustainability (effectually finding cost savings for the org.). Overall, these projects will ultimately help organizations to better serve the community.
Timeline for Participation: Fall*
- August 19: Online applications from non-profit organizations are due today
- Early September (visit one classroom session): Nonprofit organization gives students a presentation about its mission, community roots, etc.
- September–November: Representative from the organization is available one to three times per month to consult with students as they work to assess its practices/plans for HR, marketing, accounting, etc.
- Late November: Organization representatives attend a formal presentation by students—a reception of the business plan or other appropriate deliverables.
* Services are offered twice a year, in the spring and fall semesters. This is a general timeline. Dates are subject to change.
Timeline for Participation: Spring*
- January 6: Online applications from non-profit organizations are due today
- Late January (visit one classroom session): Nonprofit organization gives students a presentation about its mission, community roots, etc.
- February–April: Representative from the organization is available one to three times per month to consult with students as they work to assess its practices/plans for HR, marketing, accounting, etc.
- Late April: Organization representatives attend a formal presentation by students—a reception of the business plan or other appropriate deliverables.
* Services are offered twice a year, in the spring and fall semesters. This is a general timeline. Dates are subject to change.
What to expect:
If you represent a non-profit community organization or run programs for the community, we invite your participation. To become one of our partners, please be sure the timeline above fits with your needs and your availability. Examples of projects are below. To proceed, please click on the application’s link at the top of this page.
Senior Capstone: Successful Projects
Papakolea Community Development Corporation
Papakolea is a Hawaiian Homestead community in which the tightly knit network of kupuna and community leaders has taken major steps to shape its future through leadership of the Papakolea Community Development Corporation (PCDC) and a variety of community organizations.
The PCDC strives to promote self-determination by managing community center facilities; to develop strong and effective community leaders and to mobilize broad-based community participation in civic life.
Request/Issue for Students
PCDC’s Center sought to improve the scope and of its programs and services to over 1,500 residents of Papakolea, Kewalo, and Kalawahine Streamside communities. Since securing the Center, PCDC had begun rehabilitating the facility and had some ideas for further improvements. In working with Chaminade, the main focus was on rehabilitating the current kitchen into a commercial kitchen that could be run as an educational facility and a concession stand operated by the youth of Papakolea.
Our Consultant’s Deliverables
Adrienne Dillard, PCDC: “The BU470 students were crucial when we were looking to get funding for our kitchen project. The idea had been around for ten years, but they came along at that time when we needed it. If that hadn’t occurred, the kitchen wouldn’t have been the reality it is at this time. The students wrote our business plan, and that informed our grant-writing. When we had to submit the grant, that was an asset.
“The students met our kids; they let the environment inform the service they were providing. I really want them to see that the kitchen is now REAL. How often do you see that?”
Friends of Iolani Palace & the Hawaii Chapter of the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA)
The Friends of Iolani Palace organization supports, guides, and manages Palace activities, providing caring stewardship for this Hawaiian landmark and national treasure. Its mission is to preserve, restore, interpret, share, and celebrate the unique cultural, historical, and spiritual qualities of
The PRSA society is the world’s largest organization for public relations professionals, with nearly 20,000 members representing business and industry, counseling firms, government, associations, hospitals, schools, professional services firms, and not-for-profit organizations.
Request/Issue for Students
Students were asked to prepare a written public relations plan to position Iolani Palace as a premier cultural and historical treasure, worthy of high recognition and regard in the visitor and resident market sectors, and as an institution deserving of philanthropic support.
Iolani Palace was pleased to play a role in this excellent exercise to provide students with a learning experience,” said Kippen de Alba Chu, Executive Director of Iolani Palace.
Our Consultants’ Deliverables
Chaminade University business students Chelsea Taketa and Eugenia Lutali took top honors in the Hawaii Chapter of the Public Relations Society of America’s first proposal-writing competition. The students honed their skills on preparing a formal response to a public relations Request for Proposal (RFP).
“We congratulate Chelsea and Eugenia for submitting a proposal that was clearly outstanding in every category,” said Ruth Limtiaco, CEO of The Limtiaco Company, who spearheaded the contest. “Their entry exhibited strategic thinking, a consistent theme and a practical budget, elements that are all essential to any comprehensive public relations plan.”
Volunteer Legal Services Hawaii (VLSH)
VLSH provides free or low-cost legal help to low-income Hawaiʻi residents and the non-profit organizations serving them. Volunteers are critical, as they contribute pro bono services.
Attorneys, law students, and others are encouraged to volunteer, thus addressing the unmet legal needs of Hawaiʻi’s low-income residents. Numerous different projects are available, including legal clinics and individual representation.
Request/Issue for Students
VLSH’s objective was to increase volunteer recruitment of attorneys/recent law school graduates and retention of current volunteers who wished to fulfill representation of their firm’s volunteer work at an outside location through innovative networking opportunities and programs.
Our Consultants’ Deliverables
Students assessed past initiatives for recruitment and retention. Creative plans were developed to include social media and alternative venues for reaching potential volunteers. Ideas for marketing campaigns were presented as well.
Other successful projects and partnerships
- 808Urban – Business Plan and Fund-Raising Strategies
- Hawaii Women in Film-making – Business Plan and Fund-Raising Strategies
- Aloha United Way/Junior Achievement – Financial Literacy Projects
- Hawaii Disability Rights Center – Media and Public Relations Campaigns
- The Hawaii Alliance for Community-Based Economic Development (HACBED) – Advancing Mission
- Mutual Assistance Associations Center – Accounting Assessment and Fund-Raising Initiatives
- Hilopaa Family-to-Family Health Information Services – Media Plan Strategies
- The ARC in Hawaii – “Hiki no Hawaii” Retail Store Project
- Homes for Our Troops – Non-Profit Business Plan Development
- Better Business Bureau of Hawaii – Non-Profit Business Plan Development
