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Capstones Fall 2025

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Capstones in the topic

Expanding Access to California State Parks for Title I School Communities

By

Audrey Abrahams

On

January 10, 2026

This policy brief examines the inequities in access to California’s state parks among low income communities, particularly those served by Title I schools. Despite the enactment of Assembly Bill 616 (AB 616), which successfully expanded park access through free vehicle pass distribution at public libraries, financial and geographic barriers continue to exclude many underprivileged families. These inequities prevent many children and adults from obtaining the educational, health, and social benefits of nature. The brief addresses the historical and socioeconomic roots of environmental inaccessibility in California, evaluating AB 616’s partial success and identifying its limitations in reaching underserved populations. It proposes a companion bill to AB 616 extending pass distribution to Title I school libraries, as well as proposes the creation of digital park passes to scale improvements in accessibility. These policy options aim to create a more equitable and accessible framework for park participation. Ultimately, expanding environmental access through inclusive policy design supports California's goal of achieving “parks for all.”

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A Preventative Policy for K-12 Youth Mental Health Crisis

By

Anisha Arvind

On

January 10, 2026

Washington State is facing a growing adolescent mental health crisis, but public schools rely largely on reactive, crisis-based responses that fail to equip students with preventative skills. This brief proposes the Mental Health Literacy in Schools Act, which would fund evidence-based, age-appropriate mental health education for all K–12 students, shifting the focus to resilience and early help-seeking. Investing in universal mental health literacy would improve student well-being, academic outcomes, and the state’s long-term future.

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Financial Literacy in America

By

Andrew Le

On

January 10, 2026

Financial literacy has been critically low in the United States, and in 2022, less than 40% of Adults were able to complete a basic financial literacy test. This lack of basic financial knowledge has led to wide reaching consequences like the debt cycle, retirement savings, and wealth inequality. This capstone aims to cover the political landscape and education around financial literacy in the US, and how universal K-12 education financial literacy requirements can be used to strengthen financial literacy in the US from an early age.

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From Plaza to Prison: ICE’s Expanding Overreach

By

Anaya Qayyum

On

January 10, 2026

Immigration enforcement in New York City, particularly at 26 Federal Plaza, reflects ICE’s increasing overreach of power. A civil offense is treated like a criminal offense, all without the protections afforded to someone being prosecuted as a criminal. This brief will examine ICE’s overreaching power and its impact on civil liberties and propose policy reforms to ensure congressional oversight measures, limits on ICE detainers, and expanded legal protections for immigrant families.

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Prison Reform in Louisiana: Angola Prison

By

Amaya Windham

On

January 9, 2026

Louisiana has the highest incarceration rate in the world, and Angola Prison lies at the heart of this crisis. Once a slave plantation, Angola now holds more than 5,000 inmates, over 80% of whom are Black, under harsh and often unconstitutional conditions. Despite Louisiana spending more than $734 million annually on its prison system, recidivism rates remain high, revealing the failure of a punishment-based approach. This policy brief argues for the expansion of rehabilitation programs at Angola, including education, vocational training, and mental health services. By prioritizing rehabilitation, Louisiana can reduce recidivism by up to 40%, cut long-term correctional costs, and restore opportunities for those reentering society. This proposal offers a bipartisan, cost-effective strategy to promote public safety, racial justice, and human dignity.

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The Roots of Resentment: Affective Polarizations' Impact on Cross-Partisan Conversation

By

Allison Cohen

On

January 9, 2026

This policy brief will examine how effective polarization serves as a threat to social and democratic cooperation, and the dangers it poses to social cohesion and stability. It will also propose policy implementations and initiatives for civil discourse, seeking to strengthen policy mitigating this rising problem.

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Political Polarization: An In-Depth Analysis of the Current Political Climate in America

By

Alisha Sachdeva

On

January 9, 2026

Political polarization is spreading throughout America, creating a volatile and even dangerous climate. Nearly 30% of Americans, per PBS, now see violence as a solution. The troubling divide it is creating between citizens of one, united country is beginning to affect everyday life and trickling hate on all sides, parties, and spectrums.

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Strengthening Climate Resilience and Early-Warning Systems

By

Alida Cuttriss

On

January 9, 2026

Extreme weather disasters in the United States are growing more frequent and deadly, exposing major weaknesses in preparedness and communication systems. Vulnerable communities (especially rural, low-income, and linguistically diverse populations) face disproportionate risks due to inconsistent access to timely alerts and infrastructure support. By improving communication, investing in preparedness, and ensuring equitable access to resources, this legislation seeks to reduce loss of life, strengthen public safety, and build nationwide climate resilience.

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Brown v. Board Today: Contemporary Desegregation in Traditional Attendance Zone School Assignment Systems

By

Alex Guilot

On

January 9, 2026

This brief examines the persistence of racial segregation in American public schools through traditional attendance zone assignment systems. The brief draws on policy from Berkeley, California and Wake County, North Carolina to highlight the difficulty in making universal policy suggestions for the vast number of American school districts. These districts ultimately reveal, though, that preserving some level of geographic-based assignment and considering race as a contextual assignment factor effectively contribute to diversity in schools.

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The United States’ Employment-Based Immigration System: An Analysis of H-1B Worker Backlogs, Policy Shortcomings, and Reform Pathways

By

Adhi Balamurugan

On

January 9, 2026

The U.S. employment-based immigration system leaves over 1.8 million skilled workers and their families in long-term legal limbo due to outdated limits set in 1990, including a 140,000 annual cap and a rigid per-country quota that causes extreme backlogs, especially for Indian applicants. These constraints depress wages, limit job mobility, waste skilled labor from dependents, and place children at risk of losing legal status. This paper shows that eliminating per-country caps, expanding visa numbers, exempting dependents, and recapturing unused visas would reduce inequities and better align immigration policy with current labor market needs.

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Protecting Migrant Workers’ Human Rights in the Middle East

By

Ammar Siddique

On

January 9, 2026

The backbone of the luxurious buildings like the Burj Khalifa in the UAE, the tallest building in the world, has been built on the sweat and, tragically, the lives of migrant workers. Behind the shining glass towers and record-breaking skylines lies a human cost that rarely makes headlines. This policy brief exposes how the kafala sponsorship system traps millions of migrant laborers across the Middle East in cycles of abuse and danger. Despite government claims of reform, weak enforcement and systematic indifference continue to exploit the laborers. The brief calls for urgent regional cooperation, stronger labor enforcement, and the abolition of worker-paid recruitment fees to end this silent exploitation.

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Strengthening California’s Policies for Survivors of Sexual Violence

By

On

December 15, 2025

Sexual violence is a pervasive issue that leaves survivors facing stigma, barriers to justice, and limited institutional support. While California has taken steps through measures like AB 379 and the Safe at Home program, significant gaps in restitution, legal protections, and academic accommodations remain. This brief outlines the problem and proposes survivor-centered reforms to strengthen prevention, access to justice, and long-term recovery.

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Giving Illinois Wildlife a Fair Shot: A Critical Analysis of the Illinois Endangered Species Protection Act and the Path Forward

By

On

December 14, 2025

Biodiversity loss is one of the biggest risks posed to animal, plant, and human populations. In response to this issue, the federal government and state governments have enacted legislation to protect endangered species and promote habitat recovery. This brief specifically explores conservation efforts for endangered and threatened species in Illinois.

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Pesticide Exposure: A Proactive Approach in Improving Maternal Health

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On

December 14, 2025

Health policy often overlooks the intersection of maternal health risks and environmental harm. This brief explores the risks associated with pesticide exposure and adverse maternal and infant health outcomes. Despite evidence linking pesticides usage in agricultural zones to reproductive harm many states fail to address this issue.

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Revitalizing Brownfields: Local Policy Solutions for Sustainable Urban Redevelopment

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On

December 14, 2025

Brownfields—abandoned or underused industrial areas affected by pollution—remain a challenge for sustainable development in the United States. While federal programs like CERCLA and the EPA’s Brownfields Program have helped address contamination, many sites are still left behind because of high cleanup costs, liability issues, and complicated regulations. This policy brief explores why brownfields continue to persist and what can be done at the local level to fix the problem.

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Restoring Italy: the Immigration Crisis and Ineffective Systems

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On

December 14, 2025

Immigration is prevalent all over the world: regardless of location, it has been a persistent catalyst for discourse. Pertaining to Italy, immigration from neighboring countries has risen in recent years, simultaneously exacerbated by fruitless policies.

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Detention and Family Separation in San Diego County: Addressing the Human Cost of Immigration Policy

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On

December 14, 2025

The separation of a family continues to be understood as one of the most pressing humanitarian challenges for individuals living in the United States, and more specifically for families in San Diego County, California where the pernicious trauma of separation continues for thousands of immigrant families due to immigration detention, poor reunification processes, and lack of access to legal and social services. While there are legislative programs that exist in California to assist families, such as the Reuniting Immigrant Families Act (SB 1064), there remain gaps in coordination and enforcement, and families continue to experience the humanitarian crisis of separation.

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California’s Contributions: Equity in Education

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On

December 14, 2025

In this brief, I analyze inequity in the American education system and its impact on underserved students in both low-income and affluent communities. I examine California’s Local Control Funding Formula (LCFF) as a policy response and evaluate its effectiveness as a potential national model.

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Increasing Mental Health Support in Washington State Schools

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On

December 14, 2025

This brief explains the problem of mental health support in Washington State schools and why students are struggling to get the help they need. It addresses who is affected by this issue, what has been tried already, and why current systems are not working. This brief covers the history of school counseling in Washington, the different people involved in trying to fix this problem, and what policy options the state could use to make things better.

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The Intersection Between Food Waste & Insecurity

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On

December 14, 2025

Throughout the hearts of Texas, Louisiana, and Arizona, the hunger crisis has rampaged cities, and clung on to the lifelines that hold up the societal framework of small towns. Paralleling the devastations of the over 18 million households living in hunger, almost a half of the food supply in the United States goes to waste annually. This brief will touch on the intersection at which hunger and food waste meet, and how reducing waste can have positive implications for families experiencing hunger, nationwide.

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Preventing Drugs and Substance Abuse in Youth

By

On

December 14, 2025

This policy brief is about preventing drugs and substance abuse in teens. It talks about why kids start using drugs, like peer pressure, stress, or family issues, and explains how schools, families, and communities can help stop it. The brief looks at programs that teach kids about drugs, give support through counseling, and involve families and mentors. The goal is to help teens make better choices, stay healthy, and avoid long-term problems.

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The National Teacher Retention Crisis

By

On

December 13, 2025

This brief examines the root causes of the U.S. Teacher Retention Crisis, analyzing its impacts and possible policy solutions.

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Economic Prosperity Through Global Relations

By

On

December 13, 2025

The economic power of the United States of America is well correlated to its bipartisan formulation and execution of policies concerned with trade and those related to immigration and employment. There is an added complication in trade and immigration policies. Inconsistencies in trade and immigration policies can cause confusion to workers and employers as well as to foreign nations.

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Tourism Infrastructure Development in Uzbekistan: A driver of Economic Growth or Division?

By

On

December 13, 2025

In an increasingly globalized world, tourism can be seen as a driver of economic growth, increasing GDP, creating jobs, promoting foreign investment, and providing exposure to diverse cultures. Uzbekistan, a nation seeking to expand their tourism sector through the improvement of infrastructure, has released their 2030 Plan to build new tourist accommodations and renovate existing sites.

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Mathematical Pathways to Responsible AI Governance: A Quantitative Policy Model for Equity, Safety, and Innovation

By

On

December 13, 2025

Artificial intelligence (AI) is transforming governance, industry, and society, but global regulation remains fragmented and largely qualitative. Existing frameworks emphasize ethics, yet few provide measurable accountability or comparable data across nations.

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The Criminalization of Migrants in the United States

By

On

December 12, 2025

This policy brief examines the growing criminalization of migrants in the United States and its impact on civil rights, due process, and community trust. It highlights how immigration enforcement increasingly treats civil violations as criminal offenses and proposes several reforms to ensure humane and effective immigration policy.

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Strengthening Cycling Laws for Safer Roads

By

On

December 12, 2025

Cycling is a sustainable and healthy mode of transportation, yet cyclists face disproportionate danger on U.S. roads. In 2022, over 1,000 cyclists were killed in motor vehicle crashes—tragedies that are largely preventable with stronger legal protections. Outdated, weakly enforced cycling laws, such as three-foot passing requirements, fail to adequately protect riders, underscoring the urgent need for a legal framework that prioritizes cyclist safety for the benefit of all road users.

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The Middle East Lobby: How International Cash Affects American Policy

By

On

December 12, 2025

This brief examines the notable influence of Middle East lobbying on American policy and its resulting effects on trust in government domestically and international stability. It traces the evolution of foreign lobbying since World War II and highlights how financial contributions and relationships have bypassed existing legislation, the Lobbying Disclosure Act and Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA) in particular. The paper emphasizes the need for nonpartisan reform and change to limit biased decision-making. Proposed solutions include institutional FARA reform, stronger enforcement through the Department of Justice, and the closure of the “revolving door” between Congress and lobbying firms. Ultimately, the brief advocates for greater transparency and accountability to ensure more objective policymaking and to promote peace, economic growth, and civic trust both in the Middle East and within the United States.

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A Counter-Proxy Framework for the Middle East

By

On

December 12, 2025

Iran has long been a thorn in the American side, counteracting U.S. influence and allies throughout the Middle East. In the last fifty years, such belligerence has notably increased, perpetuated through various proxies across Iraq, Syria, Lebanon and Yemen. This brief will cover how Iran is attempting to uproot America’s geopolitical foundation in the Middle East and how this outcome can be prevented through targeted policy solutions.

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The Color of Unemployment: How Policy and Prejudice Push Black Women Out of the Workforce

By

On

December 12, 2025

This policy brief examines the escalating unemployment crisis among Black women, arguing that recent federal policies and a political climate hostile to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (D.E.I.) initiatives worsen systemic discrimination. The analysis shows how misapplied government efficiency measures and enduring misogynoir create an inequitable environment where Black women are disproportionately laid off and face barriers to job security.

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Coastal Erosion within Louisiana

By

On

December 12, 2025

This policy brief addresses the presence of coastal erosion, a history of coastal erosion, industries affected by coastal erosion, tried policy, and options for future policy. By addressing coastal erosion and proposing resilience plans, opportunities can be presented within Louisiana legislation to address its land loss.

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Balancing Power and Principle: An analysis of U.S. involvement in the Israel-Palestine Conflict and Potential Reform Pathways

By

On

December 12, 2025

For decades, the U.S. has functioned as Israel’s most reliable patron, especially in the Israel-Palestine conflict, extending both diplomatic loyalty and billions in military aid. However, recent shifts in the 2023 response to the war have reignited extensive scrutiny on whether U.S. intervention is compatible with international legal frameworks and humanitarian principles. Taking into consideration the U.S.’s strategic justifications for their steadfast alliance, this brief examines whether the U.S. achieves equilibrium in strategic interests and moral considerations or completely sacrifices its ethos in international law.

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Drug Abuse in Los Angeles

By

On

December 12, 2025

This brief examines the factors and major issues regarding drug abuse in Los Angeles, CA.

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The $14.7 Billion Question: Who’s Responsible for New Jersey's Power Crisis?

By

On

December 12, 2025

Energy lies at the core of every functioning society, yet today’s world faces mounting challenges as demand accelerates due to technological advancements while supply lags. Ratepayers experience rising costs largely due to the rising demand for AI data centers. Through policy harnessing the price stabilization effect of clean energy and more robust consumer protection plans, the mismatch can be amended.

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Structural Solutions for an Equitable Coffee Value Chain

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On

December 12, 2025

This brief analyzes power imbalances in the global coffee trade that leave smallholder farmers in poverty while multinational corporations and certifying bodies capture most of the value. It argues that market-driven practices and weak regulation undermine the effectiveness of certifications and price supports. The brief proposes decentralizing certification, enforcing living-income due diligence, and strengthening transparency and stakeholder governance to promote equity and sustainability in the coffee sector.

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Stop Stalking and Domestic Violence

By

On

December 12, 2025

This brief addresses the horrible issue of stalking and intimate partner violence in the United States. It will discuss its relevance and a way to hopefully prevent these crimes from occurring.

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Strengthening Mental Health Resources in School Systems

By

On

December 12, 2025

The rise in mental health issues among students has become an alarming number. This policy brief will examine the increasing lack of adequate resources our school systems are equipped with. It offers a planned solution on how schools can allocate funds to better their services towards student and faculty. This initiative aims to help everyone despite economic gaps and districts.

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The Fiction Of Flexibility: How The Gig Economy Is Exploiting Workers

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On

December 12, 2025

Up to 36% of American workers have participated in gig or independent work, a figure that continues to rise. Many platforms like Uber and DoorDash use claims of “flexibility” to classify workers as independent contractors, denying them minimum wage protections, benefits, and organizing rights, while often engaging in legal violations such as price fixing. This brief examines the unsustainable nature of the gig economy and explores legislative and legal reforms to promote fair opportunity for all Americans.

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