Pacific Index

Ava Cook tackles both business and criminal justice capstones at once during her final semester

By Tiare Arquero

   “It’s been a lot more work than I expected,” senior Ava Cook said with a small laugh while reflecting on completing two capstone projects at the same time.

   As seniors across campus complete their final capstone projects, some students are taking on more than one challenge. For Cook, the final stretch of college includes completing two capstones at the same time.

   Cook is currently finishing capstone projects in both business and criminal justice, two fields that require very different approaches and skills. While many students spend their final semester focused on one major research or project-based course, Cook has been navigating two demanding capstones simultaneously, learning to balance teamwork, research, and presentations along the way.

   The business capstone is structured as a group simulation project. Students work together to run a simulated company where they sell products. Throughout the project, the group makes strategic business decisions and adjusts their approach based on their strategy and the results they see. At the end, for their capstone presentation, they present their findings and explain why they made certain decisions and whether they achieved their goals.

   The criminal justice capstone, on the other hand, is an individual research project. Cook is conducting a comparative analysis of victim advocacy in Germany and one in the US. She’s looking at legal frameworks that take place in both places, focusing on domestic violence and sexual assault victims. The project involves extensive research, and then, similar to her business capstone, she will present her findings on Senior Projects Day.

   Unlike the business capstone, the criminal justice project allowed for more flexibility when choosing a topic. Cook’s interest in the subject comes partly from a possible future career path.

“I want to get into law school and get involved with legal work,” Cook said confidently. “Seeing how things work in victim advocacy is really meaningful to me, and I just really want to learn more.”

   Planning and organizing both projects required starting at different points during the academic year. The criminal justice capstone began earlier with a practicum experience in the fall semester, which helped lay the foundation for the research portion of the project. Much of the semester has been dedicated to reading and analyzing sources related to international legal systems.

   The business capstone began at the start of the spring semester. Instead of extensive research, the project relies more on reviewing materials provided in class and taking detailed notes to guide group decisions. 

   Balancing both projects has been difficult, especially while maintaining other responsibilities. “It’s definitely a lot to handle,” she said. “Writing for both projects can lead to burnout sometimes.”

   Because of the heavy workload, Cook joked that having two capstones meant “no spring break.” For her, finding small ways to stay balanced has been important. Morning workouts provide a helpful release, while simple activities like going on walks at the beginning of the day help set a positive tone. Spending time with friends also helps relieve stress and allows Cook to stay grounded despite the demanding schedule.

   “Definitely going to the movies, baking, or hanging out with friends has made times less stressful,” she said with a smile.

   One of the main challenges for Cook is having to present both capstones on the same day. Preparing for two separate presentations means memorizing large amounts of information and organizing materials for completely different topics.

   “I think it will be kind of stressful,” Cook said. “I get to make note cards for one presentation and then will have to switch my focus to the other.”

   Despite the challenges, working on two capstones has helped Cook develop important academic and personal skills. The criminal justice project has encouraged deeper critical thinking about real-world issues and has made her more curious about the world around her.

“It makes you question things more and dive deeper into topics,” she explained. “Life is really a learning opportunity.”

   The business capstone has strengthened collaboration and teamwork skills. Working in a group requires understanding each person’s strengths and weaknesses while finding ways to reach decisions together. The project also connects ideas from multiple business classes, allowing students to see how different concepts work together in practice.

  Looking back on the experience so far, Cook believes capstones provide a valuable opportunity for growth. Her biggest piece of advice for future students is to choose topics they genuinely care about whenever possible. “If you’re passionate about something, it makes the process easier,” she said. “It’s a great opportunity to figure out what you want to do and inform people about things you’re passionate about.”