After reopening in the spring 2024 semester for only Harrington School of Communication and Media students, the University of Rhode Island’s Speaking Center now accepts students of all majors.
The center was previously shut down in 2009 due to a lack of resources, according to the center’s director, Kris Cabral. Cabral established this version of the center along with former director of the Harrington School Ammina Kothari and communication studies professor Martha Waitkun.
The center aims to assist students at all stages of development in writing their speeches, Cabral said. This includes aiding students in brainstorming topics, doing research, practicing their delivery and managing speaking anxiety.
The center intends to help students develop more confidence in speaking in front of audiences and overcome their fears or anxieties related to public speaking, according to Cabral.
In the speaking center, words of encouragement are posted across the walls. One such example is hung from the podium where students practice their speeches. It reads: “Think big! You are capable of more than you know!”
Karen Ruhren, a communications studies professor, was asked by the communications department to join the speaking center staff. She said that she jumped at the chance to do so.
“[The students] all walk out more confident,” Ruhren said. “Whether it be with the structure of their speech or the delivery of their speech. And they usually walk out with a big smile, which is very fulfilling.”
When students visit the center, they can expect to have a 30-minute one-on-one appointment with one of the writing center consultants, all of whom have experience teaching communication fundamentals at URI, Cabral said.
“The students who come here are getting the benefit of many years of experience from us as consultants,” Ruhren said.
At the end of appointments, students write down what was worked on with their consultant to show their instructors what they practiced, according to Ruhren.
“I’ve taught here 22 years, and you can’t find a more happy, welcoming space,” Ruhren said.
Students who attend the center will get their consultant’s complete attention, will experience a boost in confidence in their speaking abilities and will see results from their visit, according to both Ruhren and Cabral.
The center will aid in “fostering a community of speakers who are prepared to go back to their communities and participate in public discourse about the important issues of our day,” Cabral said.
Since its reestablishment, the speaking center has helped about 65 students. However, now that they are open to all departments, they are expecting more students to utilize this resource.
“We recognize, though, that students from other disciplines need our support just as much, if not more,” Cabral said.
For students wanting to learn more about the center, the center has an open house on the morning of Oct. 6. They will provide donuts and a prize giveaway for students who visit.
Students interested in having an appointment can walk into the speaking center, located in room 301A of Ranger Hall, or schedule in advance through the Starfish website .