KENNESAW, Ga. | Jan 22, 2025

From humble beginnings in Europe to building a new life in the U.S., Radoslav Stoyanov’s journey has been guided by his resilience and drive to innovate. That drive, along with a passion to give back, recently resulted in a capstone project providing a technology-inspired solution for a local animal rescue.

Originally trained as an electrical engineer in Bulgaria, Stoyanov aspired to study information technology, ultimately leading him and his wife, Teodora Stoyanov, to Kennesaw State University’s College of Computing and Software Engineering.

Looking to apply his newfound skills to solve a real-world problem, Stoyanov, Teodora, Prince Duepa, and Madison Jones collaborated on a capstone project aimed at helping Angels Among Us Pet Rescue, an Alpharetta-based organization seeking a better way to manage its growing volunteer base.

The team was tasked with creating a volunteer management application that could reduce administrative burdens by streamlining operations, tracking volunteer hours, and improving communication. However, the team faced several hurdles in the project’s early stages.

“We didn’t have clear, detailed requirements at the start,” Stoyanov said. “The first few weeks were chaotic as we tried to figure out what the organization needed and familiarize ourselves with the various platforms they used.”

The capstone project was divided into three key milestones, each marking a critical step forward. The first milestone focused on developing a simple, accessible user interface (UI). The second milestone involved creating a functional version of the app built with programming software like Python, React, Admin, and Django. The project culminated in the third and final milestone in which the group incorporated feedback from Angels Among Us and refined the app’s features.

Beyond impressing Angels Among Us, the project was well received at the College of Computing and Software Engineering’s annual Analytics Day.

“It felt amazing to see people genuinely interested in the project and impressed by what we had built,” Stoyanov said. “When we presented the app, I felt proud to see so many people appreciating our work. It made all the late nights and hard work worth it.”

Sumanth Yenduri, dean of the College of Computing and Software Engineering (CCSE), added that Stoyanov’s achievement reflects positively on the impact KSU students can have on their communities.

“I am incredibly proud of Rado and his team for their outstanding work on this capstone project,” Yenduri said. “They not only demonstrated technical skill but also a deep commitment to solving a real-world problem. Students like Rado exemplify the values of our college.”

– Story by Raynard Churchwell

Photos by Darnell Wilburn

A leader in innovative teaching and learning, Kennesaw State University offers undergraduate, graduate and doctoral degrees to its more than 47,000 students. Kennesaw State is a member of the University System of Georgia with 11 academic colleges. The university’s vibrant campus culture, diverse population, strong global ties and entrepreneurial spirit draw students from throughout the country and the world. Kennesaw State is a Carnegie-designated doctoral research institution (R2), placing it among an elite group of only 7 percent of U.S. colleges and universities with an R1 or R2 status. For more information, visit kennesaw.edu.