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

Educator Pay Strain in the United States

Capstones Summer 2025

Nia Gupte

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.

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

Capstones Summer 2025

Claire Chin

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

Melany Carmenaty-Martinez

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

Amelia Yuan

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

Chemo On Time: Patient Navigation for India’s Public Insurance

Capstones Summer 2025

Ameya Kandula

This brief proposes hospital-based patient navigators, strict pre-authorisation turnaround with public dashboards, simple bilingual checklists, and small travel-and-lodging stipends.

Preventing Capital Flight: A Case For Reforming Minnesota's State Estate Tax

Capstones Summer 2025

Garek Garcia-Galindo

This brief evaluates the implications of Minnesota's current state estate tax structure and the policy reforms needed to make the structure competitive at a national level. The brief highlights the urgency for reform on the bases of adjusting for inflation and preventing capital flight.

Artificial Intelligence Applications in Humanitarian Crises

Capstones Summer 2025

Kayla Johnson

This brief will address the potential of computational applications in humanitarian operations, the challenges that such implementation faces, and the suggested policy frameworks.

From Exposure to Equity: Reforming U.S. Policy on Lead and Childhood Educational Success

Capstones Summer 2025

Saasthra Bojja

This brief examines the link between socioeconomic inequality, childhood lead poisoning, and academic outcomes in the United States. It also evaluates past and existing remediation policies, identifying persistent gaps, and proposes equitable solutions such as universal in-school lead testing and a remediation support fund to break the cycle of exposure and disadvantage.

Freedom of Movement: The Case for Equitable, Beautiful, and Sustainable Urban Infrastructure in the U.S.

Capstones Summer 2025

Varun Manickam

This policy brief examines the urgent need for a redesign of urban planning across U.S. cities within the broader context of American transportation policy, public health, climate goals, and the growing loneliness epidemic caused by a lack of inviting, shared urban space.

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All Fellowship Capstones

Educator Pay Strain in the United States

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

Expanding Education Access for Neurodivergent Students

Addressing Barriers to Youth Civic Engagement and Political Participation

Chemo On Time: Patient Navigation for India’s Public Insurance

Preventing Capital Flight: A Case For Reforming Minnesota's State Estate Tax

Artificial Intelligence Applications in Humanitarian Crises

From Exposure to Equity: Reforming U.S. Policy on Lead and Childhood Educational Success

Freedom of Movement: The Case for Equitable, Beautiful, and Sustainable Urban Infrastructure in the U.S.