Capstones

The capstone projects in the YIP Fellowship represent the culmination of an intensive eight-week program, embodying the essence of inquiry-driven learning. These projects, crafted by fellows at the program's conclusion, are a testament to their intellectual growth and understanding of complex policy issues. Each capstone is a unique reflection of the skills and insights gained, demonstrating a synthesis of research, analysis, and innovative thinking. Serving as both a personal and academic milestone, these capstones highlight the fellows' readiness to engage with real-world challenges, marking a significant step in their journey as emerging policy leaders.

See Capstones

Capstones may reflect individual viewpoints and do not represent YIP's nonpartisan stance.

All Fellowship Capstones

Power to the People: Democratic Innovations in the Future of US Government

Capstones Summer 2025

Lucas Truong

Democratic innovations are processes aiming to reshape the participatory role of citizens in government practices. As U.S. democracy lies at a historically low point, many institutions and scholars have begun to explore beyond traditional methods of civic engagement. This brief will go into further depths on what democratic innovations are, then recommend possible paths forward to strengthen the connection between man and state.

Black Box Models and the Governance of Mechanistic Science

Capstones Summer 2025

Bhavana Rupakula

As black box models increasingly drive decision-making in science and policy, there are rising concerns in their reliability and ethics in high stakes environments, particularly science research. This brief suggests that governance of mechanistic science in the age of AI requires rethinking the role of transparency, suggesting a hybrid governance model.

Ava DiGiuseppe

Capstones Summer 2025

Ava DiGiuseppe is a student at Columbia University, where she plans to major in Political Science with concentrations in American Politics and Political Theory, and in Classics. She is particularly interested in academic law and is exploring intersecting avenues in journalism, educational equity, normative policy solutions, and the art of rhetoric

Revitalizing Louisiana’s Economy: Industry Diversification and Reform

Capstones Summer 2025

Louisiana's reliance on oil, gas, and petrochemicals leaves its economy vulnerable as global markets stagnate and the use of renewable energy rises. This brief outlines the historical roots of that dependence, who it affects, and the economic risks of remaining reliant on a dying industry.

Educator Pay Strain in the United States

Capstones Summer 2025

This policy brief examines the persistent pay gap between U.S. teachers and similarly educated professionals, with a focus on how it impacts recruitment, retention, and educational equity. Low-income and rural communities face disproportionate challenges as teacher shortages intensify, reducing access to experienced educators. Current federal policy offers limited direct salary support, leaving state and local initiatives to fill the gap.

Predictive Analytics for Early Intervention in Substance Use Disorders

Capstones Summer 2025

This brief proposes a school-based prevention model that uses predictive analytics to identify youth at high risk for substance use disorders and connect them to targeted support, including counseling, mentorship, and structured programming. By intervening early within existing school systems, the model aims to reduce addiction rates, improve student outcomes, and lower long-term social and economic costs.

Enhancing Career-Technical Education (CTE) Pathways for Underprivileged Students

Capstones Summer 2025

This brief will examine the importance of CTE initiatives and propose policy strategies for more inclusive and effective integration.

Expanding Education Access for Neurodivergent Students

Capstones Summer 2025

This policy brief examines the barriers faced by neurodivergent students, such as those with autism, ADHD, and dyslexia, in the U.S. K–12 public education system, which is experiencing increasing enrollment of students requiring specialized support.

Addressing Barriers to Youth Civic Engagement and Political Participation

Capstones Summer 2025

This brief evaluates the particular challenges that limit youth political participation, the impact of this gap on the efficacy of government representation, and the opportunities to improve civic engagement among youth. Policy Brief Keywords * Civic Engagement, youth, democracy, political participation Personal Biography (To go alone with your capstone. This can list where you go to school but not your current year. It should be written in third-person format.) * Amelia Yuan is a high school student at the Castilleja School in California. She is passionate about civic engagement, voter rights, and strengthening youth and minority political participation. Headshot * Image new AA headshot - Amelia Yuan.jpg Social Media Links (To be associated with your capstone. This can include LinkedIn, Instagram, Twitter) Submitted 8/13/25, 10:34 PM

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All Fellowship Capstones

Power to the People: Democratic Innovations in the Future of US Government

Black Box Models and the Governance of Mechanistic Science

Ava DiGiuseppe

Revitalizing Louisiana’s Economy: Industry Diversification and Reform

Educator Pay Strain in the United States

Predictive Analytics for Early Intervention in Substance Use Disorders

Enhancing Career-Technical Education (CTE) Pathways for Underprivileged Students

Expanding Education Access for Neurodivergent Students

Addressing Barriers to Youth Civic Engagement and Political Participation