Allan Fellow Announced

Fall 2009

CST major Jacline Carter has been named the Joan and Pete Allan Speaking Center Fellow for the fall 2009 semester. The fellowship is designed to encourage undergraduate student-staff members of The University Speaking Center to complete speaking center research or outreach projects which culminate in original academic papers. Jacline will be doing outreach with The Interactive Resource Center in Greensboro.

Assistant Director Appointed

Fall 2009

The University Speaking Center welcomes Communication Studies faculty member, HEma Yarragunta, as Assistant Director. Yarragunta, a familiar face at the center, served as a Communication Consultant during her undergraduate studies (CST & BADM) and Graduate Assistant Director as a graduate student (M.A. CST).

In her new UNCG leadership role Yarragunta will oversee the center's oral communication workshop program. Workshops are developed and facilitated by speaking center employees for UNCG students, staff, and faculty audiences at the request of faculty, student groups, and other campus leaders.

The speaking center, which has been supporting the oral communication needs of the university since 2002, will open in the fall on September 8th.

Speaking for Change

Summer 2009

In the past year, staff from the Speaking Center connected with local grassroots organizing around what is called the "achievement gap" and other issues pertaining to kids of color in Guilford County Schools. The center organized their staff volunteers to provide workshops and individual consultations on public speaking. The workshops, which took place at the HIVE in nearby Glenwood, attracted more than 30 people, most of whom went on to attend school board meetings over a period of several weeks during the summer of 2008. The community members used the "speakers from the floor" period in each meeting to raise concerns, demand change, and more.

Starting in September, thanks in part to support from the Pete and Joan Allan Speaking Center Fellowship, the center will expand this community outreach and social justice project to the Interactive Resource Center (IRC) where voices for the homeless will be cultivated.

More about the HIVE and IRC can be found at:
HIVE: gsohive.org
IRC: irc.comze.com

Speaking Center Brings Home Awards

Spring 2009

Philadelphia, PA (March 28, 2009): CST major and Speaking Center consultant Kiya Ward has won the Weiss Top Undergraduate Student Paper Award at the National Association of Communication Centers conference in Philadelphia, PA. Her paper is titled "The X Factor: Building Relationships Within Speaking Center Consultations."

William Bryant, CST MA (2008), ELC PhD student, and Speaking Center graduate assistant won the Huddy-Gunn Top Graduate Student Paper Award. His paper is titled "Cultural Perspectives on Group Consultations: Communication Accommodation Theory, Immediacy, and Persuasion"

National Speaking Center Conference Features UNCG Presenters

Spring 2009

Twelve speaking center staff members presented at 2009 National Association of Communication Center's Conference in Philly.

• Workshop- Helping the Communities We Serve to Tame their Public Speaking Monsters
  • Affiliation: University of North Carolina at Greensboro
  • Developed by: Kim Cuny (CST faculty & THR MFA alum, & CST MA alum)
  • Speakers:
    • Eryn Blake, Undergraduate Student (Business major & CST minor)
    • Molly Malone, Undergraduate Student (THR Ed major & CST minor)
    • Princess Newborn, Undergraduate Student (Psy major & CST minor)
    • Jason Flores, Undergraduate Student (Business major & CST minor)
• Workshop- Pathos: A Consultant's Best Friend
  • Affiliation: University of North Carolina at Greensboro
  • Speakers:
    • William Bryant, Graduate Student (CST MA alum & ELC grad student)
    • Professor Erika Lytle (CST faculty & MA alum)
• Panel- Attending to the Work at the Center: Undergraduate Student Papers
  • Communication Apprehension in the Collegiate Environment
    Ashley La Clair, University of Richmond
  • On Ye Shoulders of Giants: Imitation and the Future of Rhetoric
    Elizabeth Moore, University of Richmond
  • The Speaking Center as a Part of the College Community: How Speaking Centers Can Affect Freshmen Retention
    Stacey Ahua and Hannah Rachal, University of Southern Mississippi
  • The X Factor: Building Relationships Through Dialogue within Speaking Center Consultations
    Kiya Ward, University of North Carolina at Greensboro (CST major)
• Panel- Making the Community the Center of Attention: Undergraduate Student Papers*
  • From the University to the Penitentiary: Implementing Communication Centers Focused on Conflict Resolution in our Male Penal System
    Melinda Alson, University of North Carolina at Greensboro (CST major & AFS minor)
  • Building Voices for Change: CWiC Goes to Shaw Middle School
    Janice Dow, University of Pennsylvania (*poster session submission)
  • A Comparative Look at the Levels of Community Engagement of Communication Centers
    Eric Halsey, University of Mary Washington
• Panel- Paying Attention to Tutoring at the Center: Graduate Student Papers
  • Critical Perspectives on Group Consultations: Communication Accommodation Theory, Immediacy, and Persuasion
    William Bryant, University of North Carolina at Greensboro (CST MA alum & ELC grad student)
  • The Tutor and Learner Relationship: Is humor orientation a factor to be considered in training and pairing?
    Michael King, University of Southern Mississippi
  • Communication Accommodation and Peer Tutoring
    Becky Richey and Debbie Smith, University of Southern Mississippi
• Workshop- Small Talk: Why it Matters
  • Affiliation: University of North Carolina at Greensboro
  • Speakers:
    • Hema Yarragunta, Graduate Student (CST MA student, BADM & CST alum)
• Discussion- Community Building: Tutors Sharing Teaching Ideas and Case Studies
  • Affiliation: University of North Carolina at Greensboro
  • A Fly on the Wall, Christina Simeone, undergraduate student (Business major)
  • Stop the Anxiety, Bianca Cutler, undergraduate student (Computer science major) Trainee to Trainer: Can I be Successful?, Brent Monger, undergraduate student (ISOM major)
  • Do You Trust Me? Consultants Guiding Consultants in Training & Twisted Name Game: Training to be the Best Consultant, Professor Erika Lytle (CST faculty & CST MA alum)

Spring 09 Allan Fellow Announced

Fall 2008

CST major Kiya Ward has been named the Joan and Pete Allan Speaking Center Fellow for the spring 2009 semester. The fellowship is designed to encourage undergraduate student-staff members of The University Speaking Center to complete speaking center research or outreach projects which culminate in original academic papers.

This is the second semester that Kiya has been granted the Allan award. Her earlier research, done under the direction of Professor Kim Cuny (CST), was named a top paper for undergraduate research at the 2008 Carolinas Communication Association conference. Kiya's groundbreaking research identifies trust building behaviors practiced by tutors at speaking centers.

After presenting her research at the conference, Kiya was invited by Dr. Kathie Turner, director of Davidson College's Speaking Center, to further this work by investigating trust building behaviors at Davidson's center. Dr. Roy Schwartzman (CST) will direct Kiya's Davidson efforts. Kiya plans to present her spring findings at the 2009 National Association of Communication Centers mini-conference.

Thanks for Giving!

Fall 2008

This semester, the Sustainability Committee of The University Speaking Center held its first annual "Thanx4Giving" holiday food drive. During the weeks before and after Thanksgiving, non-perishable foods were collected in the Speaking Center lobby.

After exams, the food was donated to the Urban Ministries of Greensboro food bank, where it will reach those in need around our community during this holiday season. A remarkable 47 pounds of food was donated!

A big Thank You to the all of the participating Speaking Center and Writing Center employees, students, teachers, and faculty who helped make a difference in our community.

"Branches Of Love" Tree-Decorating Contest

Fall 2008

Thirty trees and thirty teams filled the Virginia Dare Room at UNCG's Alumni House on Saturday, December 6, leaving no doubt that the holiday season was upon us. The third annual "Branches of Love" tree-decorating contest brought students, faculty, administrators, and community members together for an enjoyable evening of spirited competition. Sponsored by the Student Alumni Ambassadors, awards were given in a variety of categories, including, best overall decorating, best theme, the most artful homemade decorations, and the most Spartan spirit. The winners were chosen by Chancellor Linda Brady, her husband, Steve Heyer, and school alumni president, Jeff Colbert. Representing the UNCG Speaking Center was Eryn Blake, Amanda Soesbee, Brent Monger, and friends. When the evening concluded, the UNCG Speaking Center won the category of best theme for their tree, "Too Cool for School." Their decorations included flash cards, pencils, highlighters, jump ropes as garland, and a tree skirt made on construction paper. Overall, the evening was a reminder of the spirit of the season and the Spartans as every decorated tree was given to a local family in need.

Outstanding Consultant

Fall 2008

Hema Yarragunta, a graduate student in Communication Studies and the Graduate Assistant Director at the University Speaking Center, was honored with the 2008 National Communication Association's Outstanding Consultant Award for Communication Centers. The recipient of this prestigious award must exhibit an exceptional dedication to speaking center service and quality of instruction. This national achievement complements Yarragunta's long standing efforts of service to both UNCG students and our community.

Cuny Awarded Outstanding Newcomer

Fall 2008

San Diego - University of North Carolina at Greensboro Communication Studies faculty, Kimberly M. Cuny, has been named the National Communication Association's (NCA) Von Till Outstanding Newcomer for Communication Centers.

Cuny is the first person to receive the award which is designed to honor an NCA member who has been in Communication Centers administration for five years or fewer as of May 1, 2008. Cuny took over directorship of The University Speaking Center at UNCG five years ago at the start of the center's second year of operation. At that time, the center had 17 staff members and completed nearly 100 consultations. Last year the center had 40 staff members who completed over 2,000 consultations and 100 faculty requested workshops.

Cuny's nomination noted her UNCG and national successes in speaking center and lab innovation, scholarship, mentoring, effectiveness, participation in NCA's Communication Centers section and hosting the National Association of Communication Centers Spring Mini-Conference in 2007.

New Assistant Director

Summer 2008

The University Speaking Center welcomes Communication Studies faculty member, Erika Lytle, as Interim Assistant Director. Lytle, a familiar face at the center, served as a Communication Consultant during her undergraduate studies (B.A. CST & AFS) and Managing Consultant as a graduate student (M.A. CST). Lytle's research focus includes public speaking, outreach, and interpersonal communication in the workplace. Since graduation, Lytle has taught oral communication classes at Bennett College, Guilford Technical Community College, and UNCG.

In her new UNCG leadership role Lytle will oversee the center's oral communication workshop program. Workshops are developed and facilitated by speaking center employees for UNCG students, staff, and faculty audiences at the request of faculty, student groups, and other campus leaders.

The speaking center, which has been supporting the oral communication needs of the university since 2002, will expand hours of operation in the fall. You can visit the center on the Web for 24/7 support http://speakingcenter.uncg.edu/

National Speaking Scholarship Awarded

Summer 2008

Speaking Center Senior Consultant, Kissy Gomes, has a penchant for service learning and volunteer work. Her passion for helping others shows through her positive disposition and in her volunteer work at Greensboro Urban Ministries. This dedication has not gone unnoticed. Gomes was recently awarded one of the National Speaker's Association scholarships designed to aid potential professional speakers.

Hoping to one day become a motivational speaker, Gomes wants to instill hope into those who want to improve their situations in life. In addition, she hopes to employ her communication skills to persuade leaders to act on the many social issues needing attention. Kissy Gomes wants to be a person who impacts the world positively; this award will help her on that quest.

Speaking Center Coordinates Workshops For National Festival

Spring 2008

NC Storyfest, Greensboro's own national storytelling festival, announces their 2008 workshop and CEU program to take place Saturday, May 17th. This year NC Stroyfest offers three workshop choices for those looking to learn more about storytelling. http://www.ncstoryfest.org/pages/...

The University Speaking Center at UNCG is coordinating the workshops this year. The workshop information at the link above is in PDF form which requires acrobat reader which can be obtained for free at: http://www.adobe.com/products/acrobat/readstep2.html

Speaking Center Flip'in Out Over New Cameras

Spring 2008

This semester the speaking center started having difficulty with the wireless microphones used for recording client speeches. The technology support staff from the Teaching and Learning Center at UNCG continues to work on a long term solution to the new interference problems. In the mean time, the speaking center purchased three new Flip Video Cameras.

At UNCG, the Flip Camera has revolutionized the work of the speaking center. The Flip Camera records speeches in digital format with no need for blank DVDs or tapes. The recording can be played back on a computer by USB port or a television via RCA connector. At UNCG the recorded speeches are played back mostly through a computer and always onto a projection screen for review with our clients.

After the speeches are viewed staff members then send the recording to the client by e-mail and erase the recording from the camera! Future uses for the Flip Camera include uploading center orientation speeches, talking tip sheets, and five to ten minute instructional clips for Speaking Across the Curriculum faculty development use.

Want to know what we have learned about Flip Video Cameras? Contact Kim Cuny by e-mail kmcuny@uncg.edu.

Two Staff Members Nominated

Spring 2008

Managing Consultant, Lauren Honeycutt has been nominated for UNCG's 2008 Student Employee of the Year Award. Graduate Assistant, Hema Yarragunta has been nominated for a national Outstanding Tutor award. Both nominations were supported and processed by the speaking center's Consultant Appreciation Committee.

Speaking Centers and Labs Helping Students with Public Speaking Apprehension

Spring 2008

Check out this national publication which includes interviews with our Speaking Center staff.

http://insidehighered.com/news/2008/01/09/speaking

Our Speaking Center Leaders Honored

Fall 2007

Kim Cuny and Sarah Wilde were each honored by the National Communication Association with a service award for their planning, executing, and hosting of the excellent spring mini-conference. The spring gathering is attended by staff of speaking centers and labs across the country.

The Speaking Center at Davidson College

Fall 2007

http://www3.davidson.edu/cms/x15986.xml

We are thrilled that the director at Davidson has given us permission to use their poster series here at UNCG. Look for the posters to be featured in speaking intensive classrooms right away.

Take a look at the Davidson designs: http://www3.davidson.edu/cms/Documents/Academics/Departments
/CommunicationStudies/acadcom_posters.pdf

Quick Questions Entertained

Fall 2007

New this fall the speaking center staff is utilizing instant messenger to answer client questions during regular hours of operation. Questions about public, interpersonal, and group communication are being entertained via the AOL screen name uncgspeaking.

Graduate Assistant Earns Top Volunteer Award

Fall 2007

Hema Yarragunta was recently honored as one of 6 recipients of the 2007 Betty Dobson Klemm Outstanding Volunteer Award.

This honor is awarded by the NC Refugee Program run by the NC Division of Social Services. Hema was one of six people awarded this year. Hema was the only student honored.

Hema was recognized for her UNCG student work at Lutheran Family Services (LFS) in appreciation for her hours of dedicated service. Hema first worked at LFS as part of her Communication and Society course work.

The following semester Hema earned internship credit for a speaking center outreach project which found Hema designing and facilitating over 15 oral communication workshops for two groups at LFS. Her training program serviced the needs of both the refugees and the staff at LFS.

After the training project was completed Hema became the LFS volunteer coordinator for UNCG's Office of Leadership and Service Learning. Hema graduated from UNCG last May with degrees in Communication Studies & Business Administration. Hema worked her way up to managing consultant during the 3 1/2 years that she worked for the speaking center as an undergraduate. Currently Hema is a speaking center Graduate Assistant where she develops, oversees, and facilitates oral communication workshops across the curriculum. Hema is pursuing an MA degree in the Communication Studies Department with a focus on organizational communication at UNCG.

Five Years of Service Marked

Summer 2007

The University Speaking Center will celebrate five years of service throughout the 2007-2008 academic year. The year long celebration started with a July staff reunion attended by current and past staff members. A good time was had by all.

Managing Consultant Wins Speech Competition!

Summer 2007

Amanda Lawing (CST & SPA major) won 1st place in the Oratorical competition at the Circle K International Convention in Portland, Oregon. Amanda's speech featured work that UNCG Speaking Center Volunteers and members of UNCG Circle K have done with the Salvation Army Central Unit Boys and Girls Club in Greensboro over the past two years.

Administrators Serve as Invited Presenters

Spring 2007

Speaking Center Director Kim Cuny and Assistant Director Sarah Wilde have accepted an invitation to present a workshop on teacher communication in the classroom at the 2007 Lilly South Conference on College and University Teaching.

Four Staff Members Earn Top Academic Honors. EXCELLENT!

Spring 2007

Four student-staff members of The University Speaking Center earn top honors for academic achievement. During annual award ceremonies the following graduating seniors were honored.

• Christen Hanley (NTR major) Student Excellence
• Cherie Avent (DCE major) Student Excellence
• Hema Yarragunta (BADM & CST) Bryan School Student Award
• Jackie Haywood (CSD major) Student Excellence

Record Breaking Attendance

Spring 2007

A record 170 students and administrators attended the 2007 National Association of Communication Center's Excellence at the Center Mini-Conference. UNCG's University Speaking Center hosted the meeting which featured UNCG Communication Studies faculty presenters as well as speaking center/lab practitioners from around the country.

Additional information about the 2007 gathering can be found by clicking NACC 2007 (left side of computer screen). Plans are underway for the 2008 conference to be hosted by the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs.

Excellent Student Employee

Spring 2007

Speaking Center Managing Consultant Hema Yarragunta was honored for her excellent service to the university as a student employee. Hema's nomination came from the Office of Leadership and Service Learning, the Bryan School Internship Office, and The University Speaking Center. All three outlets recognized Hema for her commitment, hard work, and dedication to quality. This award is given to one outstanding student-employee each year by the office of student employment at UNCG.

Staff Member Nominated Excellent Employee

Spring 2007

Speaking Center Managing Consultant Hema Yarragunta has been nominated for her excellent service to the university as a student employee. Hema's nomination came from the Office of Leadership and Service Learning, the Bryan School Internship Office, and The University Speaking Center. All three outlets recognized Hema for her commitment, hard work, and dedication to quality.

University Speaking Center Sponsors their Very Own Mix it up Lunch Day

Fall 2006

Millions of students at thousands of schools across the nation stepped outside their comfort zones Tuesday, Nov. 14, to sit with someone new in the cafeteria. The fifth annual Mix It Up at Lunch Day urged students everywhere to bring down the walls dividing their schools.

The University Speaking Center hosted a Mix It Up Lunch held in their training space in the McIver building this past Tuesday to allow staff (consultants) the opportunity to mingle with fellow consultants that they do not work with or talk to on a regular basis. The lunch spanned a two hour time frame so that the consultants could come and go between classes. The staff was encouraged to sit at round tables and engage in conversation with fellow consultants who have a different background. The lunch allowed the staff to share both a meal and a common experience with their peers from the workplace.

THE UNIVERSITY SPEAKING CENTER HAS EXPANDED!

Fall 2006

Starting fall 2006 we now offer our signature one-on-one oral communication tutoring services from our new headquarters located on the third floor of the Hall for Humanities and Research Administration building (3211 HHRA).

When we open for business on August 28th, our expanded hours of operation will be:

• Monday - Wednesday 10am - 8pm
• Thursday 10am - 6pm
• Friday 9am - noon

Our original location, 22 McIver Building Underground is now The University Speaking Center Training Facility. From the underground space we will develop and facilitate our workshops and orientations.

Wilde Appointed Assistant Director

Fall 2006

The University Speaking Center has appointed Communication Studies faculty member, Sarah M. Wilde, to Assistant Director. Wilde came to UNCG in 2003 after serving a four year leadership role at Mary Washington's Speaking Center. While in graduate school at UNCG, Wilde's research focused on both communication across the curriculum and speaking center assessment.

In her UNCG leadership role Wilde will oversee the center's oral communication workshop program. Workshops are developed and facilitated by speaking center employees for UNCG students, staff, and faculty audiences at the request of faculty, student groups, and other campus leaders. The speaking center, which has been supporting the oral communication needs of the university since 2002, will expand operations when they open in the fall by offering their one-on-one oral communication coaching services from 3211 HHRA building.

Staff Shines at National Conference

Spring 2006

Evan Zakia O'Donnell (HST), Amanda Jackson (CST), Jessica Moss (CST), Vik-E Butler (CST), Lauren Honeycutt (BADM), Cherie Avent (DCE), Christen Hanley (NTR), Amanda Cook (DCE), Amanda Lawing (CST & SPA), Hema Yarragunta (BADM & CST), Sarah Wilde, & Kim Cuny presented their speaking center work/research at the 6th Annual National Association of Communication Centers Excellence Conference.

Five student-staff members earn top honors. EXCELLENT!

Spring 2006

Five student-staff members of The University Speaking Center earn top honors for academic, service, and performance achievement. During annual award ceremonies this semester the following staff members were honored.

• Amanda Lawing (CST & SPA major), Gladys Strawn Bullard award for outstanding service
• Lynette James (ANT & SPA major) Student Excellence
• April Reece (ENG major) Student Excellence
• Morgan Steele (ART major), Student Employee of the Year for UNCG's Office of Student Life
• Melissa Wooten (CST major) Student Excellence

Speaking Center Graduate Assistants Shine at National Conference

Spring 2006

Former graduate assistant Sarah Wilde (MA 2005) and outgoing graduate assistant Alex Vizzier (MA 2006) presented their speaking center research at the 5th Annual National Association of Communication Centers Excellence Conference in Omaha on April 22, 2006.

Wilde's work sought to determine the effectiveness of the support received by clients at The University Speaking Center at UNCG while Vizzier looked at the relationships of the staff to see how they helped each other overcome public speaking anxiety.

Both papers served as final comprehensive projects for the two as they completed their MA in Communication Studies at UNC Greensboro. Under the faculty guidance of Communication Studies Professors Joyce Ferguson, Chris Poulos, David Carlone the two worked independently on their research during their final semester of graduate school.

Where student research in this area is concerned, these two papers are at the top.

Lloyd International Honors College Student Excellence Award

Spring 2006

Four Speaking Center Communication Consultants have been nominated for the 2006 Lloyd International Honors College Student Excellence Award. This award is UNC Greensboro's highest undergraduate academic award for seniors.

The student staff members who earned this nomination are:

• April Reece, English major
• Bridgette Lewis, Communication Studies major
• Lynette James, Anthropology and Spanish majors
• Melissa Wooten, Communication Studies major

Lutheran Family Services

Spring 2006

Hema, a managing consultant, is currently working on a project with Lutheran Family Services (LFS). LFS is a faith-based, non-profit human service agency that provides various programs for children such as group homes and foster care, and aids families with such services as adoption, counseling, and disaster response. This agency helps individual and community refugees by providing English language training, employment, and assistance in finding housing, school placement, and getting medical check-ups.

Hema is currently responsible for facilitating workshops for their staff and clients (refugees) on various communication topics such as culture shock, basic presentation skills, group work, conflict management, giving and receiving constructive criticism, successfully communicating in the workplace, and effectively communicating across different cultures and genders. Hema finds that one of the greatest challenges in facilitating these workshops is the language barrier. Most of the refugees are from Vietnam, Sudan, Scandinavian countries, and Afghanistan. They are still at the beginning stages of learning English.

Boys and Girls Club

Spring 2006

This semester several consultants are doing a storytelling project at the Boys and Girls club. The Boys and Girls Club is part of a national program to encourage and support children who otherwise might not have anywhere to go. Two pairs of consultants go on two different days to do activities with the children and teach them storytelling. Toward the end of the semester, the children will have the opportunity to present and compete with the stories they have practiced. The children in this program are between the ages of six and eleven.

Graduate Assistant, Alexandra Vizzier's, Comprehensive Exam Project

Spring 2006

For a final project for graduate school, Alex plans to research how consultants at the University Speaking Center help each other manage communication apprehension. Because parts of the consultants' jobs involve delivering workshops and orientations about the University Speaking Center to classes and organizations across the campus, they have to be competent and confident communicators. However, some consultants are not as confident as they may seem. Several consultants have expressed their anxiety about public speaking and explained that they wanted to work at the University Speaking Center in order to help manage this anxiety.

In order to relieve public speaking anxiety, the consultants offer each other encouragement. They exhibit this encouraging behavior through their interactions. Although not all of the consultants experience anxiety about public speaking, they all share a passion for their job: helping others become better communicators. They also share knowledge about public speaking and different aspects of oral communication. The passion the consultants have for their jobs and their expertise in oral communication, binds them as a community of practice. Alex's study will seek to answer the research question: How do the members of the University Speaking Center, as a community of practice, help each other manage communication apprehension?

Record Breaking

Spring 2006

The Speaking Center has been doing amazing things lately. We have been breaking records for the past couple of weeks. Our first week back we helped 112 clients! The second week we helped 106 and the third week we helped 108 clients! The Speaking Center currently has 16 new consultants in training, the largest training class yet, who are very excited to start working one-on-one with their clients. Thank you for continuing to use the Speaking Center for your oral communication needs.

1st annual NC Storyfest

Spring 2005

The University Speaking Center is one of many sponsors for the 1st annual NC Storyfest to be held in April. The NC StoryFest is a family oriented, multicultural, multigenerational event. The event will take place from 10AM until 5PM in the Greensboro Public Library, the Music Practice Room on the lower level of the Cultural Arts Building, The Price-Bryan Performance Place (Festival Park) and the auditorium in the Greensboro Historical Museum. The Festival is FREE but donations are encouraged.

For more information check out: http://www.ncstoryfest.org/

Graduate Assistant to Present Award Nominated Paper

Fall 2004

Sarah M. Wilde, Speaking Center Graduate Assistant, will present her research paper titled, "Speaking conventions in the arts and performing arts: A discipline specific look at how non-communication majors communicate," on September 24th at the Carolinas Communication Conference (CCA) hosted by Clemson. The paper is the result of a semester long research project completed under the direction of CST faculty member and Faculty Coordinator for UNCG's Speaking Across the Curriculum Program, Joyce Ferguson.

The paper has been selected as one of the top papers for CCA's Mary E. Jarrard Panel of Graduate Research Competition. Also presenting at the conference are Communication Consultants, Paige Collins & Jessica Moss as well as director, Kim Cuny.

Speaking Center Starts a New Year

August 2004

On Monday, August 30th, The University Speaking Center marks the opening of its third year of serving the oral communication needs of students, faculty, staff, and other UNCG community members. Service is provided by way of free one-on-one consultations, an evening workshop series, orientations for groups, and client specific workshops.

August 30th also marks the launching of the Center's new Web page which includes new tip sheets (under resources) and the workshop series lineup. It is located at http://speakingcenter.uncg.edu

Those who wish to come in and get assistance with public, group, or interpersonal communication from trained Communication Consultants can make appointments by calling 336-256-1346 or stopping by the Center located at 22 McIver Building Underground (behind Brown and Taylor).

Orientation requests will be entertained throughout the semester. Workshop requests for October, November, and December are still being accepted.

Speaking Center to National Conference

Spring 2004

The University Speaking Center will be attending the National Association of Communication Centers (NACC) Conference on April 16-18, 2004. The Conference will be held at Mary Washington College in Fredericksburg, VA. Eighteen undergraduates along with the Graduate Assistant and Speaking Center Director will be attending the Conference. Seven consultants will be presenting at the conference while eleven Jr. Consultants will be attending to gain knowledge about Communication Centers around the country and to help UNCG's Speaking Center grow.

All Communication Consultants have been working hard to raise money for this trip. A large portion of the funds for the conference came from the hard work and dedication of the UNCG's Speaking Center staff. The staff sold Krispy Kreme doughnuts on Tate Street and at a yard sale.

The mission of the Speaking Center is to help clients in their ongoing process of becoming more confident and competent communicators. By attending this national conference, UNCG's Speaking Center will have the ability to incorporate other schools' ideas to make our Speaking Center more available and useful for both its on-campus and off-campus clients.

More information about NACC can be found at http://www.communicationcenters.org/ and information regarding the UNCG Speaking Center can be found at http://www.edu/cac.

Welcome to the First Redesign!

December 2003

Welcome to the newly designed web site of the University Speaking Center of UNCG. Over the past semester we have been upgrading the site in an effort to better serve our clients. You will find our web site is now more resourceful and much easier to navigate. Enjoy!