Center News

Shakiera, Managing Consultant

My favorite Speaking Center moment occurred a few semesters ago. I was on shift with Gabbi, Katheline, and Mary. This shift was every Wednesday night. We looked forward to Wednesdays because we knew that we’d get to all be together and we quickly became deeper friends. On shift, I am usually a very bubbly person around these 3, we laugh and joke in between consultation, ruly enjoying being at work. It didn’t feel like work when we were together, we had fun. On one particular day, I  was very down. I was going through a lot of personal issues and was struggling with my course load. I felt like I was walking around with the weight of the world on my shoulders and this was impacting my grades and overall happiness. I clearly wasn’t in my usual upbeat mood and this was evident on shift when my shift fam was able to quickly realize that I was not myself. They allowed me to vent and even cry to them. I tend to have trouble opening up and they made it very easy. At this moment, I realized the phrase “ Speaking fam” was more than a term we throw around at the center. The Speaking Center develops lifelong friendships that you weren’t expecting. We all are truly a family that cares about one another.