The Importance of Sustainability in Various Business Driven Sectors

Christian Morales, Verrazzano Class of 2026, completed major in Business Finance

I was able to identify my research project by reflecting on my short-term business experience. Prior to writing my project, I completed two internship opportunities. Both previous summers I spent two months each working as an intern. My first internship being with Vornado Realty Trust, a REIT primarily located in as well as arguably dominating the real-estate market in New York City. I worked in their back office out of Paramus, NJ but had taken several trips to visit the properties in the city. It was here where I first acquired the “genesis” of what would become my Capstone. Vornado focuses heavily on managing their properties with a foundation built on sustainable principles. It was seen across their entire portfolio which fit well with their modern design. I learned there just how important sustainability was not just to their company, but to the world. What I was essentially witnessing was the beginnings of the future. After my internship, I noticed how other companies were also either beginning or continuing the adoption of sustainable practices. The more I recognized sustainability, the harder it was to separate the idea of success from sustainability.

At my second internship with Oppenheimer & Co. Inc., I was able to see the numbers behind Sustainability. Working in Operations allowed me to see how the companies that were attracting the most investors were the faces of their respective industries. But why? How is it that a brand can have such a large general consensus that agrees on it being the best in its field? What makes society so accepting of a company?

It didn’t take longer than a google search for any company that can be thought of before I came across one simple answer. The innovation of efficiency. Essentially the textbook effect of Sustainability. A practice which focuses on the long-term standing of the company that integrates it. It does not only lift up the company, but the society around it as well. The footprint of sustainability works as the by-product of a firm conducting business with a consumer. Pushing a company to its best with advanced technology, cleaner energy and systems. It was seen in the financial statements of companies. Their 10-Q’s and 10-K’s were irrefutable proof of this. The companies within those same industries that perform poorly can be explained by their lack or even zero incorporation of sustainable practices.

That understanding made it easy for me to pursue the research. Initially, when I was tasked with the capstone, I essentially had to find a problem within the Business World, and I was stumped. It was only when I reflected on my experience as an intern and even a consumer where the idea became real to me.

If I were to expand on my research, I would pick a company and see what sustainable advancements the company could make to enhance their performance. Often, companies shy away from Sustainability because of its substantial price task that is demanded upfront. The companies that do are only focused on the small picture. It is better to take a hit now to benefit greatly in the future as opposed to being stubborn to evolution now and to not even exist much less be remembered in the future. Sustainability can be applied to all areas of business. Waste Management. Product Distribution. Supply Chains. Energy Efficiency. Wherever innovation can take place within a business, will lie an opportunity for the adoption of Sustainable practices. It isn’t about being green. Nor is it about making money. It is about doing what’s morally just and right. Not just for the modern day, but also for the future.

The Offense

Deanna Mujaj, Verrazzano Class of 2026, completed major in English Writing and minor in Philosophy

Studying English with a concentration on writing, I naturally decided to write a short story for my capstone. The hard part of beginning any creative task is finding the right inspiration. My parents are from Dnipro, Ukraine, and immigrated to the U.S. just a few years before I was born. With most of my extended family still living in Ukraine, the ongoing war between Ukraine and Russia has been a constant topic of discussion (and sorrow) among my family. It is difficult to imagine that had my parents not decided to come to America, I would be living in Ukraine during this horrible time. This topic was the inspiration for my short story, which follows a young man and his family in Ukraine at the start of the war, their fear, their reactions to the threat of death, and the sense of duty which compels every citizen who loves their country.

I expected the capstone to be a challenge; I had never written anything so long before. I anticipated the final work to be about 18 pages, but it ended up being 22 (and could have easily been much longer if the semester was not so short!). Once the topic had been established, the writing process was quite easy, and ideas flowed freely onto the page. My mentor, Simon Reader, was a tremendous help with the brainstorming of the plot, the character arcs, and making sure the story was compelling. We held regular meetings in which he provided notes for my writing, acting as both an editor and a guide. Looking back, the work was much easier and much more fulfilling than I anticipated. Writing about a topic that interests me, and taking inspiration from my own family truly helped me express the emotions that had been building up within me.

Part of my research was reading short stories and books that revolve around the war in Ukraine, including You Don't Know What War Is: The Diary of a Young Girl from Ukraine by Yeva Skalietska, and Jonathon Safran Foer's comedic, but heartbreaking novel, Everything is Illuminated. As further research, I try to keep up with the news concerning the war, and I occasionally read short stories and flash non-fiction concerning the topic. Overall, this experience has inspired me to write more and not shy away from taking inspiration from my family and my day-to-day life. 

Coach-Athlete Relationships: Impacts, Motivation, Coach Mental Health

Ryan Healey, Verrazzano Class of 2026, completed major in Psychology

As someone who enjoys keeping up with sports, I chose to research this topic because I have seen so many careers ruined due to poor relationships between the athlete and coach. In addition to their careers falling apart, players and coaches’ mental health can be negatively impacted from these relationships.

My expectations for the capstone was for it to be difficult because research for this subject is limited, as it is something that has really only become popular after the 2010’s. Mental health was an overlooked factor in sports before that time, and if you had a problem with a coach and/or were underperforming you were dropped, no questions asked. However, it was surprising to find that there was new research from the coach’s perspective on said relationships with athletes and how they too are affected. I was originally going into this project only focusing on athletes, but after seeing this additional research, I changed course a bit.

After completing my capstone, I am satisfied with what I found because it gives me hope. In recent years there has been evidence of support for coaches and athletes going through issues like this and they are no longer completely on their own. I do believe though that more can be done in the future to further accommodate people in situations with mental health. An example could be sports organizations as a whole taking accountability for the athletes and coaches that represent them. They could do this by making required training regimens for all members who are involved in the organization about the concern for safety not just physically, but mentally.