07 Aug Designing Futures: The Power of Capstone Partnerships at Thomas & Hutton
At Thomas & Hutton, we believe that shaping communities starts with shaping the future workforce. That’s why our long-standing involvement with Capstone projects plays a vital role in our mission of building relationships and solutions for success. Capstone projects, typically completed in a student’s final undergraduate year, provide real-world, hands-on engineering and design experiences that bridge the gap between academia and industry.
For several years, Thomas & Hutton has partnered with the University of Georgia College of Engineering (UGA) to support their Capstone Senior Design program. These collaborations immerse students in real project scenarios, guided by professionals from our team, helping them apply classroom theory to tangible community challenges. This initiative not only benefits students but also provides T&H with fresh perspectives, emerging talent, and stronger ties to the next generation of engineers and designers.
The T&H + UGA Capstone Collaboration
Thomas & Hutton’s partnership with UGA’s Capstone Senior Design program has flourished since its inception in 2021. Each year, T&H mentors student teams working on real engineering projects that mirror challenges faced by practicing professionals. These projects span a wide spectrum, from residential and mixed-use developments to public park planning, and emphasize both technical and regulatory aspects of civil engineering. Students benefit from hands-on exposure, collaborative design processes, and mentorship from seasoned professionals.
This past 2024/2025 school year, Thomas & Hutton and our UGA Capstone students worked on the following projects:
- Osprey Village in Hardeeville, SC, addresses a unique challenge—creating a safe, functional, and welcoming neighborhood for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. The community design includes housing, a cafeteria, a church, and a job center where residents interact with the public through services like a bakery and café. Students focused on pedestrian circulation, security, and the integration of gathering spaces, while working within defined budgets.
- The Averly Richmond Hill in Richmond Hill, GA, introduced students to the complexities of designing a mixed-use community. The site includes a city-dedicated roadway, pump station, amenity center, and utility infrastructure to support commercial outparcels, creating a “village-like” environment. Students balanced municipal requirements, stakeholder input, and GDOT regulations to accommodate Highway 144 turn lane improvements.
A Diverse Project Pipeline Since 2021
In previous years, Capstone students have worked on a range of project types reflecting the depth and breadth of civil engineering—from site layouts for build-to-rent communities and grading plans for ADA accessibility, to floodplain mitigation, commercial permitting, and the revitalization of public parks. Projects have included stormwater systems, utility coordination, roadway design, affordable housing, and adaptive reuse. This variety gives students broad exposure to both technical problem-solving and the real-world complexities of site development.
From Capstone to Career: Real Employee Journeys
At Thomas & Hutton, Capstone projects aren’t just learning exercises—they’re how we help turn classrooms into careers. Over the past few years, several talented students who collaborated with T&H on UGA Capstone projects have gone on to become full-time employees. Their journeys illustrate how project-based learning, guided mentorship, and real-world problem-solving can directly shape successful engineering careers.
Nigel Wright – UGA Capstone 2021–2022
Nigel Wright began as a summer intern in 2021, then participated in the Stubbs Park revitalization project in Dublin, Georgia. He credits mentors Ryan Thompson and Nathan Long (both UGA alumni) for shaping his experience:
“What stood out to me most about working with T&H during Capstone was their focus on our development—not just as students, but as future engineers. Every meeting, every bit of feedback, was aimed at helping us understand what site development looks like in the real world.”
Now a Designer in T&H’s Savannah office, Nigel also mentors new Capstone students. “Capstone has become a passion project for me,” he says. “Being on both sides of it is incredibly rewarding.”
Will Wallace – UGA Capstone Mentor
Will, a UGA College of Engineering graduate and current Designer in T&H’s Savannah office, began mentoring UGA Capstone students in the 2024–2025 academic year. Drawing on his own student experience, Will brings a unique perspective to the role, offering technical feedback and real-world insight on projects like The Averly, a 30-acre multifamily development in Richmond Hill, GA, complete with commercial outparcels and a new city-dedicated road.
Will works closely with Nathan Long and Nigel Wright to guide students through project development, often identifying rising talent along the way.
“The reason we do Capstone is to give back to UGA’s College of Engineering—but it also gives us a chance to work closely with talented students and see who’s really passionate about this field. You can tell when someone is in it because they want to be. That’s who we want on our team.”
Robinson Smith – UGA Capstone 2024–2025
Robinson Smith joined T&H’s Atlanta office after working on Averly Richmond Hill, a 37-acre mixed-use development. As the team’s grading and layout lead, he helped integrate apartments, outparcels, and commercial space into a cohesive site plan.
“Capstone gave me real exposure to the types of projects I’d be working on in the industry, and that made all the difference. It wasn’t just a class; it was a gateway into my career. I found myself designing at home in my free time because I was genuinely interested in the work. That passion, combined with the mentorship from Nathan and Will Wallace, led me straight to where I am now at Thomas & Hutton.”
Sam Holley – UGA Capstone 2024–2025
Sam joined T&H’s Buford office after working on Osprey Village, a residential community for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities in Hardeeville, SC. As the design lead on his Capstone team, Sam helped guide site planning efforts including grading, utilities, and stormwater management, while also gaining experience with wetland considerations and T&H’s design tools.
“Thomas & Hutton gave us exactly what we needed—they supported us without taking over the project. That balance let our team really grow and learn through the design process. It was such a good experience that when an opportunity opened closer to home, I knew right away I wanted to be part of the team.”
Why It Works: Company & Student Perspective
The success of the T&H + UGA Capstone partnership isn’t just measured in project deliverables; it’s measured in mentorship, career growth, and real-world impact. For T&H, these collaborations offer a vital pipeline for identifying and nurturing future talent. For students, Capstone projects provide an invaluable introduction to the pace, complexity, and collaboration that define engineering practice.
What Students Gain
- Real Project Exposure: Students work on active developments with genuine technical and regulatory challenges.
- Professional Mentorship: T&H engineers provide structured, ongoing feedback and industry insights.
- Confidence and Clarity: Capstone graduates leave with practical experience and direction for their careers.
“The UGA Capstone program is designed to bridge classroom knowledge with real-world complexity. We emphasize not just engineering skills, but leadership, communication, and professional accountability—everything students need to succeed in client-facing, team-driven environments. When students work on real projects with industry partners like Thomas & Hutton, they see the relevance of their work, take greater ownership, and often discover the kind of engineer—and person—they want to become.” — Stephan Durham, Ph.D., P.E., F.ASCE, Interim Dean, UGA College of Engineering
What T&H Gains
- Emerging Talent: Early connections with high-potential future hires
- Workforce Development: Investment in mentoring and education
- Cultural Continuity: Former Capstone students now mentoring new ones
- Stronger Brand Visibility: Reinforces T&H’s presence on regional campuses
“Having worked with the UGA Capstone program for several years, I’ve seen firsthand how valuable it is—not just for the students, but for us as professionals. It’s incredibly rewarding to mentor future engineers on real-world projects and then see them grow into colleagues. Involving past Capstone students in mentoring roles has added a unique dynamic, helping us connect with students on multiple levels.” — Nathan Long, PE, LEED AP, Principal/Project Manager at T&H
Building the Future, Together
Our collaboration with UGA’s Capstone program proves that when education and industry come together, the impact extends far beyond the classroom. These partnerships equip students with real-world skills, inspire innovation within our teams, and help build stronger, more resilient communities.
As we look ahead, Thomas & Hutton remains committed to investing in the next generation of engineers and designers. Whether you’re a student, educator, or industry partner, we invite you to join us in shaping the future—one project, one relationship, and one idea at a time.
Nathan Long, PE
Principal/Civil Project Manager
