Red Deer College understands that the capstone project can be one of the most challenging but rewarding experiences for students as they near the completion of their program. To help ensure students have every opportunity to succeed, RDC provides a wide variety of resources and support systems.
Perhaps the most important resource is guidance from capstone course instructors and faculty advisors. Students work closely one-on-one with their capstone instructor who provides direction, feedback, and answers questions throughout the project process. The instructor monitors progress, offers advice when issues arise, and ensures students stay on track to meet deliverables. Some programs also assign each student a faculty advisor from their discipline who serves as an additional mentor and contact for specialized input.
Instructors and advisors help connect students to other experts on campus who can lend specialized knowledge. For example, students undertaking research-based capstones can access support from RDC’s research office to learn about methodology, get approval for studies involving people or animals, and connect with subject librarians for help with literature reviews. Students tackling technical or design-focused projects have options to consult instructors from related applied departments for guidance incorporating appropriate standards, materials, or skills into their work.
Librarians are key resources for capstone research. RDC’s full-service academic library houses collections, databases, and interlibrary loan services to help students access the scholarly literature needed to design thorough, well-supported projects. Librarians offer instruction on navigating resources, constructing effective searches, and properly citing sources to avoid plagiarism. Subject librarians with deeper expertise in certain disciplines are available for one-on-one consultations tailored to each student’s capstone topic.
Peer support also plays an important role. Many programs facilitate informal mentorship between senior capstone students and those just starting the process. This allows for valuable exchange of tips, encouragement, and advice on challenges faced. The college also has a Student Success Centre that runs informational workshops on time management, effective writing, presentation skills, and overcoming ‘capstone anxiety’ to help boost confidence. Peers can further support one another through casual study groups for feedback on drafts or practice runs of presentations before the final defence.
Technological resources aid project execution and presentation. RDC provides computer labs, software applications, audio/visual equipment loans, and multimedia design facilities relevant to capstones across diverse subjects. Students gain access to tools like 3D printers, engineering design suites, recording studios, simulation programs, and statistical analysis platforms to build robust, multimodal projects. Technical staff are available for brief training and troubleshooting issues.
Funding opportunities exist to enhance capstone scholarship. Internal awards through the college offer limited financial support for budget items like research participant incentives, equipment rentals, conference travel relevant to disseminating findings, or other expenses that elevate projects beyond normal course requirements. External grants may also be pursued under faculty guidance. Overall, RDC aims to surround students with layered guidance, peer fellowship, research tools, and even modest funding to allow capstone visions to reach their fullest potential.
Red Deer College provides students an extensive network of instructor advising, subject matter experts, library services, peer mentorship programs, technical facilities, and scarce financial support to help navigate capstone experiences. This commitment of resources and personalized attention reflects RDC’s dedication to nurturing innovative, exemplary final projects that ready graduates both academically and practically for their post-degree plans in a chosen field or further studies. Students are well-equipped at the institution to independently conduct meaningful, sophisticated work for their capstone climaxes to undergraduate learning.