Director - Academic Programs, Capstone Programs

The Director of Academic Programs leads the operational and programmatic administration of the Capstone Office, which oversees the culminating academic experiences for approximately 1,000 MBA students annually. The office manages four primary capstone offerings: Business Creation Capstone (BCC), Applied Integrated Research (AIR), Advanced Topics in Management Capstone (ATMC), and Management Practicum (MP), serving students in the Full-Time MBA, Fully Employed MBA, Executive MBA, and UCLA-NUS Executive MBA programs. These experiential learning programs provide students with opportunities to apply MBA frameworks to complex, real-world business challenges. The Director collaborates extensively with faculty, MBA programs staff, students, and other campus partners to ensure effective program delivery and a high-quality student experience. In partnership with the Senior Associate Dean, the Director develops and implements long-term program goals and continuous improvement initiatives focused on operational excellence, academic quality, and student satisfaction.

The UCLA Anderson Capstone Programs are a signature component of the MBA curriculum, providing students with the opportunity to apply graduate management education to real-world business challenges in real time. Administered by the Capstone Office, the capstone requirement is fulfilled through one of distinct program tracks, each designed to develop advanced professional skills through experiential learning: Applied Integrated Research (AIR) pairs student teams with external client organizations to investigate and solve current business challenges. Teams conduct in-depth primary and secondary research - including market assessment, competitive analysis, and AI-enhanced research design - and present strategic, investment-quality recommendations to panels of industry professionals. Faculty advisors with deep industry and academic credentials counsel student teams throughout the six-month engagement. Business Creation Capstone (BCC) guides teams of student entrepreneurs through the development and launch of an original business venture. Students formulate strategies across sales, marketing, operations, finance, and management; develop and test business hypotheses; and produce a comprehensive implementation plan for their startup. Each team is partnered with a faculty advisor for the duration of the two-quarter program. Advanced Topics in Management Capstone (ATMC) offers students an academically rigorous exploration of specialized management topics, integrating advanced frameworks and current research into applied coursework designed to deepen strategic and analytical capabilities. Each track is led by a faculty director responsible for curricular direction. The Capstone Office provides operational administration, student services, and external partner relations across all tracks, serving students, faculty, and external stakeholders throughout each academic cycle.