Equity-Centered Capstone Design in a Resource-Constrained Rural Engineering Program

This paper presents the development of a cost-neutral and equity-centered Capstone Design model implemented at a rural, newly converted polytechnic institution lacking an alumni network, Capstone budget, or dedicated instructional staff.To address these constraints, the course adopted an industry-partner sponsorship model, structured communication requirements, and a formalized safety and resource-management system.In its first year, the program secured more than $14,000 in external financial and material support and established three multi-year partnerships, enabling all student teams to complete projects without personal financial contribution.Student survey data indicate strong satisfaction, equitable access to materials, and increased confidence in engineering practice, while sponsors affirmed the quality and professionalism of student deliverables.These findings demonstrate that meaningful, industryconnected Capstone experiences can be delivered in resource-limited environments through intentional course design emphasizing equity, sustainability, and community partnership.