This prompt may be updated/edited for your FYC section.

FYC Capstone Project – Fall 2024

CAPSTONE PURPOSE:

Throughout FYC, we have asked you to take time for personal reflection and to consider your goals, purpose, and
responsibility for designing your college learning experience. Each Centre student has the opportunity to create their
own unique path to graduation, which includes engaging in activities that will facilitate their personal, intellectual, and
career development. That journey might include things like student organization involvement, campus leadership, study
abroad, internships, undergraduate research, pursuing a specific major or minor, taking exploratory classes that interest
you, and more.

For your final Capstone Project of FYC, you are asked to combine the ideas and lessons from the course for one
comprehensive project. By completing this project, you will articulate your unique strengths and interests, reflect upon
your experiences from your first semester at Centre, and thoughtfully consider how you plan to make the most of your
time in college. You will practice articulating the value of those qualities and experiences to others—allowing you to
showcase what you have learned and recognizing ways in which you can act with thoughtful intention as you navigate
your college experience and practice telling your story.

• Final Draft Due: Tues Nov 19 at 11:59pm

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PART 1: Multi-modal Project

Create a project centered on your “answer” to the frequently-asked question: “Could you tell us about yourself?”

You may either complete a written reflection or create a multimodal project such as a slideshow, interactive timeline,
video, infographic, website, or other digital content that includes both visuals and written responses.

Your project (whether a written reflection or digital project) should include your responses to the following prompts:

A. WHO AM I?
• Introduce and describe yourself so that someone who doesn't know you gets a good sense of who you are as a
person. Consider including information about your strengths, experiences, interests, skills, values, personality,
and identity, as you deem appropriate.
• Include a quote, photo, or piece of art that helps convey a sense of your identity, experiences, and/or
worldview. The project includes a photo, quote, or piece of art that helps convey a sense of the author's
identity, experiences, and/or worldview.
o The connection between the quote/visual and the author's identity, experiences, and/or worldview
should be clear.

Hi, my name is Elisa. I am a curious, creative, and driven individual who loves learning and getting to know
others. Some of my strengths is that I am able to work well with people. I believe in teamwork, and I enjoy
getting everyone involved.

I have always been interested in the STEM field, I’ve always loved science, particularly in the medical field.
Beyond academics, I also love volunteering. I have had over 200 volunteering hours with Red Cross and it gives
my life meaning,

I also value growth, both personal and collective. Whether working on a team project or solving a tough
equation, I always try to bring positivity and collaboration.

"In the middle of difficulty lies opportunity." – Albert Einstein

This quote resonates with my journey and how I see the world. Challenges, whether in academics or personal
growth, have shaped me into a resilient and optimistic person. It reminds me that every setback is an
opportunity to learn, adapt, and grow stronger.

Hint: Consider re-visiting the assignment you did for pre-work for Week 2 (Understanding your V.I.P Status) and our in-
class activity during Week 10 (Belonging: Telling Your Story.) Revise your response, as necessary, to reflect the growth
you have experienced and the insights you have developed over the past several months.

B. MY PURPOSE
• Why did you choose to become a Centre student? How does this connect to your larger goals or self-defined
purpose in life?
o Hint: Consider re-visiting your responses from the Week 2 pre-work (Understanding your V.I.P Status)
and the Week 11 pre-work (Design Your Centre Experience assignment.)
• In your own words, describe why you are pursuing a liberal arts education. What are the benefits you hope to
derive from the liberal arts experience at Centre?
o Hint: Consider reflecting upon the conversations we had in class during Week 9 (Advising & General
Education.)
• I chose to become a student at Centre because I hope to gain a university experience that encourages me
to explore, challenge myself, and grow in a meaningful way. The close knit community and personalized
education at the Centre attracted me because I value connection and guidance. My greater goal in life is
to use knowledge as a tool to make meaningful contributions to the world. Whether through science,
problem-solving, or community engagement. Choosing Centre is a step towards establishing the skills
and perspectives required to achieve this vision. Pursuing a liberal arts education aligns with my belief
in becoming a well-rounded individual. At the Centre, I not only have the opportunity to develop
academic expertise, but also the critical thinking, adaptability, and ethical reasoning skills needed to
cope with a rapidly changing world. Through interdisciplinary learning, I have gained a deeper
understanding of how everything is interconnected, which helps me approach problems and solutions
from multiple perspectives. The benefits of a liberal arts experience at the Centre are not limited to
academics. I hope to leave the Centre not only to learn knowledge, but also to better understand who I
am and how I can contribute to the world. It is this journey of exploration, learning, and growth that has
made my life so exciting and fulfilling.

C. FIRST SEMESTER REFLECTIONS --- Choose 2 of the following prompts

• What was your greatest accomplishment during your first semester? Why is this accomplishment significant
to you? What did you learn from that experience, and how are you applying that new knowledge moving
forward?
• Describe a challenge that you encountered this semester. What did you learn from that experience, and
how are you applying that new knowledge moving forward?
• What are 3 key take-aways or lessons learned from your first semester at Centre?
 • What have you learned about yourself this past semester? What habits, skills, or strategies will you
continue to utilize moving forward to help you achieve your goals (e.g. what’s working well for you?). What
changes do you plan to make moving forward to help you make progress towards your goals?
One of the biggest challenges I have faced this semester is effectively managing my time while balancing the
heavy academic burden and extracurricular activities. Sometimes, I find myself at a loss, trying to complete tasks
before the deadline while also delving deeper into my studies. From this experience, I learned the importance of
prioritizing tasks, setting realistic goals, and seeking help when needed. I realized that I don't have to do
everything perfectly, it's okay to give up on things that are currently not as important. Looking ahead, I will apply
this knowledge to break down larger tasks into manageable steps, continuously use the planner, and set aside
time for self-care to avoid fatigue.
Three things I learned : Adaptability is crucial, Community is a good resource, Growth comes from discomfort
D. CONNECTING PURPOSE AND PLANS – DESIGNING MY CENTRE EXPERIENCE
• Goals: What are three goals for your time at Centre? This might include things like....
o Participating in specific student organizations and/or leadership opportunities
o Community service or civic engagement
o Internships
o Study abroad
o Undergraduate research
o Activities related to other personal, academic, or professional interests. Don’t let this list limit you!
• Why are you pursuing the goals that you articulated above? Why are they meaningful or relevant to you?
• Things to consider:
• Are they connected to your long-term goals for “life after Centre?” (e.g. internship, job,
graduate school, citizen of the world, etc.)
• How might they contribute to your personal, intellectual, and/or social development?
• What knowledge, skills, or new experiences do you hope to gain? Why are those valuable or
relevant?

• How do you plan to achieve those goals/future plans for yourself?

• What Career Exploration Community (or communities) have you decided to join to help you work
toward your future goals/explore options?
• What other campus or community resources do you plan to utilize?
• What specific steps do you plan to take?
Hint: Consider revisiting the “Design Your Centre Experience” assignment and discussions.

Resources:
For additional information on expectations and grading, see: FYC Capstone Project Rubric F24.docx
Resources to help you create your project can be found here: https://library.centre.edu/visualcommunication/home
Central objective
Participate in undergraduate research, Study abroad, internship opportunities
These goals are meaningful because they align with my long-term vision of becoming a well-rounded, globally aware,
and prepared professional to tackle real-world challenges. Research and internships will enhance my academic and
career preparation, while studying abroad will broaden my worldview and promote my personal growth.
I will go to different meetings offered in the school to explore options and receive guidance on internship and research
opportunities. I also plan to work closely with the Career and Professional Development Center and my academic
advisor to identify opportunities and stay on track. I will actively apply for research positions, study abroad programs,
and internships, while developing skills through seminars, social activities, and related courses.
Possible Points: 70
This portion of your project is due by 11:59pm on November 19th.
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Part 2: Presentation
On Tuesday, Nov. 19th you will present an overview of your reflection to the class. Rather than including all the elements
from your larger project, choose one element from each of the 4 sections (A-D) from Part 1 above.
A. Introduce yourself/provide a sense of who you are.
B. Why you are attending Centre and/or the value of a liberal arts education.
C. An insight from your first semester at Centre.
D. One of your stated goals and the resource(s) and action steps you plan to take toward achieving that goal.
You should end your presentation with a brief conclusion.
Prepare a one-slide visual to accompany your presentation (you can use materials from your larger project). This slide
does not need to include much written text; it is meant to be a helpful visual aid for your presentation. You will need to
submit your slide for the presentation on Moodle by Monday night (November 13th) at 11:59pm.
Your presentation should be less than 2 minutes (to allow everyone time to present).
Possible Points: 30
See the rubric for details on how the presentation will be graded: FYC Presentation Rubric.docx

Total Points Possible for Capstone Project and Presentation: 100