STR 560: Strategic Communication Capstone (Spring 2025)

Program Overview
Program Title STR 560: Strategic Communication Capstone (Spring 2025)
Organization Butler University
Student Application Link https://butler.capsource.app/program/str-560-strategic-communication-capstone-spring-2025/rfp
# of Students Enrolled
17
# of Projects Running
7 Project/s Added (of 3 Projects Expected)

Program Timeline

Project Duration

Start Date: 03/19/25      End Date: 04/30/25

1 month

Collaboration Overview
About Students

The students in the Strategic Communication Capstone course are motivated graduate students specializing in communication or marketing. They possess a solid understanding of strategic communication principles and are eager to apply their knowledge in real-world scenarios. They are goal-oriented individuals who are committed to achieving success in their academic and professional endeavors. Throughout the course, they will work in groups with unique clients, analyze proprietary data, and develop evidence-based recommendations, honing their strategic communication management skills and fostering innovative thinking.

Student Level:   Graduate Degree

Student Time Commitment:   Full Time

Team Structure:   4 - 5

Program Goals
The Strategic Communication Capstone course simulates a senior communication management context, where students will apply what they have learned via the graduate studies curriculum. The learning objectives are as follows:
  • Apply strategic communication problem-solving skills for a specific purpose according to client needs.
  • Analyze propriety data to inform decision-making for a specific strategic communication or marketing purpose.
  • Demonstrate senior-level management skills such as teamwork, communication, time management, and innovation in industry-related projects
Student groups will work with unique clients in a variety of industry areas to identify a strategic communication problem, analyze related proprietary data, engage in client check-in meetings, and develop evidence-based recommendations that will be presented to the client and the class. By the end of this course, students will gain strategic communication management skills relevant to the current context of the industry and will have developed the ability to be innovative thinkers and problem-solvers for future strategic communication projects. 
Format Structure

Multiple Projects Multiple Teams

Format Title Capstone
Format Description
Student consulting project designed to help connect academic curriculum to real-world challenges.
Benefits For Industry Partners
Project Modality Fully Remote
Industry Partner Requirements to Participate
Project Topics Digital Marketing Marketing PR & Communications
Target Industries Aerospace & Defense Agriculture & Farming Arts & Recreation Biotech & Pharmaceuticals Computers & Hardware Construction, Repair & Maitenance Consumer Services Education Energy & Utilities Fashion & Apparel Finance Food & Beverage Government Health Care Insurance Manufacturing Media Natural Resources Non-Profit Professional Services Public Works Real Estate Restaurants, Bars & Food Services Retail Semiconductor Software & IT Sports & Entertainment Telecommunications Transportation & Logistics Travel & Tourism
Skills & Expertise
Location Information & Preferences

Local (within 30 miles)

Industry partners from anywhere are welcome to apply!

Sponsorship

No Sponsorship Required

Compensation

Following compensation will be offered to the students:

Other Requirements
Participating Industry Partners are expected to meet regularly throughout the term and be available throughout the term to provide feedback asynchronously (through email or CapSource's platform)
Expected Time Commitment For Project Managers 2 Hours per week
Key Program Dates Due Date
Request for Proposal published

 Collaboration request published. Industry Partners may express interest in participating. 

Sep 27 2024, 02:09.00 PM
Interview

 Educators will begin interviewing interested Industry Partners to discuss project ideas. 

Jan 06 2025, 02:09.00 PM
Proposal Application Deadline

 Final date for Industry Partners to express interest in participating. 

Jan 31 2025, 02:09.00 PM
Finalize Project Charter

 Educators and Industry Partners finalize project charters, legal documents, and background materials. 

Feb 07 2025, 02:09.00 PM
PROJECT KICKOFF

 7:30 - 9:00 PM ET - We’ll find a time on this day for you to meet with the students to kick off your project. 

Mar 26 2025, 12:00.00 AM
FINAL PRESENTATIONS

7:30 - 9:00 PM ET - We’ll find a time on this day for you to meet with the students to wrap up your project. 

Apr 30 2025, 12:00.00 AM

Program Timeline

Touchpoints & Assignments Date Type

Project Kickoff Eval

03/18/2025 Evaluation

Kickoff Meetings

03/26/2025, 19:30 PM US/Eastern (UTC-05:00) Event

Project Assignment 1: Client Backgrounder, SWOT, Situation Analysis

04/06/2025, 23:59 PM US/Eastern (UTC-04:00) Project Milestone

Temperature Check

04/09/2025, 19:30 PM US/Eastern (UTC-05:00) Evaluation

Project Assignment 2: Campaign Goals, Objectives, Publics, & Big Idea

04/13/2025, 23:59 PM US/Eastern (UTC-04:00) Project Milestone

Project Assignment 3: Campaign Strategies, Tactics, & Schedule

04/20/2025, 23:59 PM US/Eastern (UTC-04:00) Project Milestone

Project Assignment 4: Strategy Brief, Budget, & Evaluation Plan

04/27/2025, 23:59 PM US/Eastern (UTC-04:00) Project Milestone

Final Presentations

04/30/2025 Event

End of Project Peer Evaluation

05/02/2025 Evaluation

End of Project Self Reflection

05/02/2025 Evaluation

Final Campaign Materials: Campaign Slide Deck & Pitch Deck

05/02/2025, 23:59 PM US/Eastern (UTC-04:00) Project Milestone

Projects

Filters
Project Organization Topics
Elevating Mikimoto’s Emotional Connection: Persona-Based PR and Storytelling Strategy Mikimoto America Digital Marketing Market Research Marketing PR & Communications Research & Development Research, Analysis, Evaluation
Head & Neck Cancer Allliance, Revitalizing the Move-A-Thon: Strengthening engagement, awareness and participation Head & Neck Cancer Alliance Community Organization and Social Action Corporate Social Responsibility Digital Marketing Growth Strategy Marketing Operations PR & Communications Sales & Business Development
Developing a Strategic Communication Plan for Packaged Sustainable: Enhancing Supplier & Brand Engagement Packaged Sustainable Customer Service & Account Management Growth Strategy Market Research Marketing PR & Communications
Designing a Comprehensive Membership Marketing Strategy for The Fourth Effect The Fourth Effect Community Organization and Social Action Data Management Digital Marketing Market Research Marketing

Program Managers

Name Organization
Mark Rademacher Butler University