A Student Partnership with Lasting Impact
Behind the programs, services, and support that VOA Southeast provides every day is a foundation that has to work—systems, tools, and infrastructure that allow that work to happen consistently and effectively. Over the past several months, students from the University of South Alabama School of Computing partnered with VOA Southeast to help strengthen that foundation through a technology inventory project, Mapping the Tech Stack, completed as part of their senior capstone project under the guidance of Senior Instructor Maureen Van Devender.
From the very beginning, students An, Conner, Gavin, and Zach approached the project with curiosity, professionalism, and a genuine commitment to creating something meaningful for VOA Southeast that would extend far beyond the scope of a capstone assignment.
They didn’t simply complete tasks—they invested time in understanding the organization including touring Eagle’s Landing transitional housing for veterans at risk of homelessness. They asked thoughtful questions, adapted to real-world challenges, and collaborated across teams to ensure their work would be practical and sustainable long after the project concluded.
The result is a clearer picture of VOA Southeast’s technology landscape—one that supports better decision-making, improves efficiency, and creates a stronger foundation for future innovation.
Last week, the team delivered their final presentation. It was confident, thoughtful, and reflected the level of care they brought to the project from day one.
More importantly, it demonstrated something that can’t always be taught in a classroom: the ability to take on complex, real-world work and create solutions that have a lasting impact.
During their final presentation, the team reflected on three key lessons they learned throughout the project—lessons that not only shaped their work, but also strengthened the final outcome.
The first was the importance of starting with the problem, not the solution. Rather than rushing to implement tools or processes, the students focused on understanding the organization’s challenges first. That mindset helped ensure the project addressed real operational needs instead of simply adding complexity.
The second lesson was the value of being nimble and flexible. Like many real-world projects, priorities evolved, new information emerged, and adjustments were necessary along the way. The team embraced those challenges with adaptability and a willingness to learn, which ultimately made the project stronger.
Finally, they emphasized a powerful idea: better culture leads to better thinking, which leads to better solutions. Through collaboration, open communication, and trust across teams, the project became more than a technical exercise—it became a partnership built on shared learning and problem-solving.
As they prepare to graduate, their contribution will continue to shape how VOA Southeast operates behind the scenes—supporting the work that ultimately impacts thousands of individuals and families.
We’re proud of the work they’ve done and grateful for the time, effort, and perspective they brought to this partnership.
Congratulations to An, Zach, Conner, and Gavin. We’re looking forward to seeing what comes next.