Hugs and high fives would have been better, but we celebrated across the miles with the help of Zoom and some special messengers carrying handwritten notes.
Three MAPL students presented their capstone projects in the past week. Natasha Harth presented her book proposal, ENOUGH, an inspirational workbook designed to help women understand how their life experience can be applied in a political and professional context. Libby Jamison presented HOMEFRONT RISING, a succinct yet comprehensive manual for military spouses who plan to run for office. And Michael Doria introduced VETS TREATING VETS, a tele-mental health service for veterans, by veteran practitioners.
Capstone students develop and refine their ideas over the course of one term, in intense conversation with instructors and classmates—though in many cases the ideas are born earlier in the program. The students present to a panel of experts who ask tough questions and offer feedback that can make the ideas even stronger, as well as provide meaningful connections to help them become real.
Each of these ideas is a powerful, personal manifestation of these students’ leadership potential, and a project that will live and grow in the world long after their celebratory pinatas have been recycled. Congrats, graduates!
