About Clinic-supported Capstone Projects
Interdisciplinary teams of up to 5 graduate students work with client organizations and faculty advisors on client-proposed projects for approximately 18 months. Projects address complex environmental issues across one or more of the Clinic’s focus areas (Environmental, Energy and Water Justice; Housing and Neighborhoods; Sustainability and Climate Action Planning; Green Infrastructure and Watershed Management; Circular Economy). Clients receive innovative, impactful products. Students develop real-world, transferable skills (e.g., project management, budgeting, and client relationship building) that will help them secure future jobs and internships. Clinic Capstone Projects fulfill the University of Michigan School for Environment and Sustainability (SEAS) graduate student Master’s Project requirement.
Learn more about our current and completed Clinic-supported Capstone Projects below.
Completed Projects
National Roadmap to Ending Utility Shutoffs
As part of the Energy Equity Project's goal to create a National Roadmap to Ending Utility Shutoffs, this project will identify the most affected households and analyze how disconnections influence mortality and public health in selected cities. This includes utilizing demographic data and case studies to understand the systemic harms caused by utility shutoffs, particularly for vulnerable populations. The findings will contribute to a comprehensive literature review highlighting these disparities and impacts.
Wright Museum Green Campus and Sustainability Plan
This new project will work with the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History in Detroit to support the museum’s sustainability initiatives.
Detroit Community Compost Pilot Data Collection
This project will work with Sanctuary Farms and the Detroit Black Community Food Sovereignty Network to advance community composting, urban agriculture and food justice in Detroit.
Reimagining Wildlands at Eliza Howell Park
This project team is collaborating with the nonprofit organization Sidewalk Detroit to create a detailed plan for Eliza Howell Park, focusing on native plant restoration and invasive species management.
Visioning Cass: A Roadmap for the Future
This project assisted Cass Community Social Services in establishing a vision, strategy and plan for the sustainable redevelopment of the Cass neighborhood, while helping the organization proactively expand its community services.
Flooding in Jefferson Chalmers: Recommendations for Resilience
The Clinic’s inaugural master’s project team worked with Jefferson East, Inc. (JEI) to increase community flood resilience, after catastrophic flooding of the Detroit River in summer 2021.