Center helps people improve communication skills, conquer public speaking fears
An East Carolina University center that helps people improve their professional communication skills and public speaking prowess has a new name.
The Speech Communication Center is now called the Center for Communication Excellence.
Dr. Pamela Hopkins, director of the center, said the new name better represents a range of services offered, from helping students and faculty members develop and deliver more effective presentations to social media branding and managing speaking anxiety. It also helps eliminate confusion with the Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders speech-language and hearing clinic on the ECU Health Sciences campus.
The Center for Communication Excellence opened in 2013 in a former broadcast studio in Joyner East Room 205 in the School of Communication. Services are free and open to students, faculty, staff and Pitt County residents.
The need for effective communication skills extends to all majors and professions, Hopkins said. Anyone who has felt a lump in their throat or a pounding heart when getting up to speak to an audience can benefit from the center’s instruction.
“In my opinion, effective communication skills are the foundation for professional success,” Hopkins said.
Hopkins and graduate students Ainsley McNeill, Sarah Grace Ramsey and Aleena Sexton provide one-on-one appointments as well as interactive workshops and customized presentations for classes and meetings. While based in Joyner East, the center offers mobile services across campus.
“We will help your students prepare class presentations, manage speaking anxiety, develop professional interpersonal communication skills, prepare for residency interviews, prepare for thesis and dissertation defenses, practice poster and oral presentations for Research and Creative Achievement Week, prepare and practice for the Three-Minute Thesis competition, and develop a more professional social media presence,” Hopkins said.
In addition, students, faculty and staff members can improve confidence when leading meetings, making presentations, delivering classroom lectures, making conference presentations, applying for grants and patents, and working with patients and interprofessional team members in clinical settings, she said.
Visit the center’s website for more information or to schedule an appointment.
The Center for Communication Excellence strives to help members of the ECU community strengthen their professional communication skills and conquer the many obstacles of public speaking. Through interactive workshops, customized presentations and one-on-one appointments, the center works to reinforce communicative strengths and confidence within groups and individuals so they may become confident communicators.
IMPROVING COMMUNICATION
Do you dread speaking in front of peers? Would you like to deliver more engaging class presentations? Do you want more confidence when talking with your professors or supervisors? Do your professional communication skills need help? The Center for Communication Excellence can help. This free service offers face-to-face and virtual appointments. For more information or to schedule an appointment, call 252-328-2790, email commcenter@ecu.edu or visit https://communication.ecu.edu/services/.