From Concept to Code: Neumont's Annual Capstone Invitational Highlights Student Innovation
From Concept to Code:
Neumont’s Annual Capstone Invitational Highlights Student Innovation
Every year Neumont invites industry partners, and alumni to determine who will take home the crown at our annual Capstone Project Invitational.
One student from each degree is selected by the faculty chair to present at our annual Capstone Project Invitational held at the Salt Lake City Public Library. More than just presentations, the Invitational represents months of problem-solving, endless bug-fixing, and losing your code base the night before Capstone, while still needing to deploy on a deadline.
This year’s projects covered a wide range of ideas and fields. Annika Arel (BSIS) presented ArelGuard, a cybersecurity learning tool that turns attack and defense concepts into an interactive, game experience.
Christian Fuller (BSSE) created ASL Learning, an app that uses real-time hand tracking to help users practice and improve their American Sign Language alphabet skills.
Trinten Tatar (BSGD) developed Lost Memories, a story driven third-person game that follows a character returning to her hometown to uncover her family’s past.
Richard Grover (BCCS) showcased simulo, a projection mapping technology that turns physical spaces into interactive displays, with uses already seen in places like the Loveland Living Planet Aquarium and immersive attractions.
Jeremy Dangerfield (BSTM) built MazeGate, a mobile app prototype designed to give users full control over their home security system.
Ben Leonard (BSWD) introduced SynerSyllo, an AI-supported calendar and feedback tool that helps bridge communication between employees and management by turning anonymous input into useful insights.
This year’s industry partner panel included Beck Guertler, Director and advisory board member at the Veterans Business Resource Center; Dr. Sidni Shorter, President and CEO of the Black Chamber of Commerce and Neumont advisory board member; Angel Shelburne, Chief Growth Officer at KomBea; and James Jackson, Neumont advisory board member and Founder of J3 Motivation and the Black Success Center, as well as founder and managing partner.
The alumni panel consisted of Nathan Nickerson, Principal Software Engineer at Fidelity Investments and a 2015 graduate with a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science; Christian Nickerson, Product Manager at RegEd and a 2022 graduate with a Bachelor of Science in Technology Operations Management; and Noel Taves, Principal Solution Product Manager at RegEd and a 2021 graduate with a Bachelor of Science in Technology Operations Management.
So who took home the crown? Christian Fuller took home the Alumni Award for his ASL Learning application, and Richard Grover earned the Industry Partner Award for simulo.
As Joshua Krebs, BSCS and BSTM Chair at Neumont University, noted, “Capstone Projects demand that students stretch well beyond their comfort zones. Being part of Capstone Project Invitational validates their efforts were worth it, and they’re ready to tackle Enterprise Projects.