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Capstone Projects in Virginia Civil Engineering Programs: A Comprehensive Review of Practices and an assessment of Virginia Military Institute’s Outcomes

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Conference

2025 ASEE Southeast Conference

Location

Mississippi State University, Mississippi

Publication Date

March 9, 2025

Start Date

March 9, 2025

End Date

March 11, 2025

Conference Session

Professional Papers

Tagged Topic

Professional Papers

Page Count

13

Permanent URL

https://peer.asee.org/54150

Download Count

2

Paper Authors

biography

Rebekah L Martin Virginia Military Institute Orcid 16x16 orcid.org/0000-0001-8188-7683

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Dr. Martin completed her bachelor's in Civil and Environmental Engineering at Bucknell University and her PhD in Civil Engineering at Virginia Tech. She is currently an assistant professor at VMI teaching fluids, environmental engineering and water resources courses. Her research focuses on drinking water quality and public health. She also co-advises the Society of Women Engineers at VMI.

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biography

Kacie Caple D'Alessandro Virginia Military Institute

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Kacie C. D’Alessandro received her B.S. and M.S. in Civil Engineering at Clemson University and her Ph.D. in Civil Engineering at Virginia Tech. She is currently an Assistant Professor of Civil Engineering at Virginia Military Institute, where she teaches courses on structural engineering, engineering mechanics, and materials. Her research interests include ultra-high performance concrete, design of concrete structures, structural investigations, and experiential learning.

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biography

Charles D Newhouse P.E. Virginia Military Institute

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Charles D. “Chuck” Newhouse received his Ph.D. in Civil Engineering at Virginia Tech after working nine years as a consulting structural engineer for MMM Design Group in Norfolk, Virginia. He spent three years teaching at Texas Tech University before joining the faculty at the Virginia Military Institute in 2008 where he is now the Charles S. Luck, Jr. ’20 Institute Professor in Engineering. He is also currently serving as the department head of the Civil and Environmental Engineering department.

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biography

Tanjina Afrin Virginia Military Institute

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I have graduated from Clemson University in Civil Engineering in 2016. Currently, I am working as an Assistant Professor in Civil and Environmental Engineering Dept, Virginia Military Institute. I am very much interested about Engineering Education, speci

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Abstract

Capstone projects serve as a vital bridge between academic theory and real-world application, equipping students with the skills necessary for professional success. Each university implements capstone projects in Civil Engineering using different styles, types of projects, and length of their capstone course. A survey of Civil Engineering programs in Virginia was performed to gather information on Capstone courses. In addition to comparing Civil Engineering programs across Virginia, this paper takes a detailed look at the capstone course at Virginia Military Institute (VMI), an institution that blends rigorous academic instruction with a military framework. The paper explores the historical development and significance of VMI's capstone projects, highlighting how the military structure uniquely shapes their design and implementation. Drawing on feedback from students and faculty, this study explores the academic and career impacts of these projects. Additionally, it identifies opportunities for improvement, including fostering interdisciplinary collaboration, enhancing partnerships with industry, and refining assessment criteria. Finally, the role of continuous improvement mechanisms, such as ABET accreditation, are assessed to ensure the ongoing relevance and effectiveness of VMI’s capstone programs. This research aims to provide insights into how capstone courses at VMI can continue to evolve, offering students a more comprehensive and integrative learning experience.

Martin, R. L., & D'Alessandro, K. C., & Newhouse, C. D., & Afrin, T. (2025, March), Capstone Projects in Virginia Civil Engineering Programs: A Comprehensive Review of Practices and an assessment of Virginia Military Institute’s Outcomes Paper presented at 2025 ASEE Southeast Conference , Mississippi State University, Mississippi. https://peer.asee.org/54150

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