According to Ann Marie Coats, head of the Speaking Center, the new center is an essential for the University of Tampa.
“Oral communication skills are arguably one of the most important skills for career success and civic participation,” said Coats.
Every Monday and Friday, many students can be found practicing speeches in front of student tutors in the library room AV1 from 2-4 p.m.
This semester, students have the opportunity to get more comfortable with public speaking through the efforts of the Speaking Center, which also assists students in the Academic Center for Excellence.
Students come to the Speaking Center for an array of reasons.
“Some students have come for assistance in brainstorming for a speech topic; others have needed help narrowing their topic,” said Coats.
Coats started the pilot program this fall with the support of Susan Taylor Lennon, Chair of the Department of Speech, Theater and Dance, and Chris Gurrie, Director of Speech.
They are all working together to foster “an appreciation for oral communication competence and communication skills across campus,” Coats said.
The Speaking Center is great for students who get nervous any time a professor mentions an oral presentation.
Many first-year students are going to need this speech center with the new requirement that all Gateways students have to make an oral presentation.
“[Students] seek our feedback as they rehearse for an upcoming presentation,” said Coats.
“Wherever you are in the process, we are there to help and encourage you.”
She encourages students to get assistance with whatever oral project they have at hand.
“Any assistance we can provide in helping others attain those goals adds meaning and purpose to our job,” said Coats.
“Interacting in lively debates, small group discussions and watching a client grow in her or his confidence provides the icing on the cake.”
Currently, there are seven tutors assisting with the center. Coats is very pleased with the results of the pilot program.
“The tutors are a dedicated and energetic group. They have a passion for public speaking and helping their peers succeed. Our workshops are fun, and our goal is to assist clients wherever they are in the speech making process.
“We just got the news that the Speaking Center has been awarded a grant from the UT Board of Fellows, which will help strengthen the infrastructure of what we offer, including cameras to film sessions when requested,” Coats said.
Whether you have an oral presentation to prepare for or you just want to improve on your public speaking skills, stop by the Speaking Center on
Mondays and Wednesdays from 5-8 p.m. and Tuesday and Thursday from 6-8 p.m.
If you would like additional information about the speech center, contact Ann Marie Coats at acoats@ut.edu.
Shivani Kanji can be reached at shivani.kanji@spartans.ut.edu.