Communication Studies Resource Center offers speech assistance

by Darcie Roberge / contributing writer

The Communication Studies Resource Center offers assistance to students of all majors in speech preparation and will be holding a speech competition for GCOM students in April.

Located on the fourth floor of Wilson Hall, the CSRC is dedicated to helping students with every aspect of the presentational speaking process. The facility’s resources include a computer lab, two fully equipped practice rooms and a video playback area.

In terms of assistance, the CSRC speech consultants can help students select a topic, practice their speech or group presentation, research, organize and much more.

The center is a place where students can practice a speech in front of a peer and get feedback from someone who knows what they are doing, said Michelle Moreau, director of the Communications Studies Resource Center.

Students who come to the center to get help with their presentation often gain a full letter grade advantage on their speech, Moreau said.

Terri Wray, professor of communication studies, said students who utilize the CSRC come in feeling much more confident and prepared.

"I’ve been at five universities and this is the first one that has offered a service like this," she said.

Wray said it is important to develop good communication skills for use in employment.

"I know of no people who are in the business world who have not had the occasion to give a presentation," Wray said.

Senior Elizabeth Shwaery, a speech consultant at the CSRC, said, "We encourage students to come up here. We’re a great audience. We’re very understanding and willing to work with everybody."

"Having good communication skills can help you gain confidence, relate to different audiences, and be able to communicate your ideas in a concise manner," said Shwaery.

Senior Andy Park, a speech consultant said, "It’s more than just a bunch of rooms, it’s a service. Don’t go up there just to use the rooms, use the consultants."

"We can help with every single part of the speech process, from start to finish," said Park.

Senior Kendra Kojcsich, a speech consultant, said, "It’s important to learn good communication skills because at one time or another, you’ll have to speak in front of a group of people."

The CSRC is hosting a speech competition called the Speak Easy on April 6 at 6:30 p.m. This competition is exclusively for GCOM students to present their speeches. There are two categories: group presentation and individual presentation. The first place prize for both categories is a $100 gift certificate to the JMU bookstore.