By: Naz Beyranvand, Assistant Director and Jordan L. Edelin, Coordinator for Written and Oral Communication in The John and Effie Macklin Center for Leadership and Communication at USG

The Macklin Center for Leadership & Communication would like to congratulate our Public Speaking Program Fall 2023 graduates! Our USG student participants developed their oral communication abilities and leadership skills in an encouraging and supportive environment. The program began with participants selecting a public speaking skill they wished to improve upon such as making eye contact with the audience, projecting their voice to the back of the room, using gestures that match their speech, or slowing the pace of their speech. 

With careful instruction, practice, and interactive exercises, students gained confidence in their public speaking abilities and made noticeable improvement during the Fall 2023 semester. In addition to building these skills, they learned to identify active listening techniques that helped them comprehend and evaluate speeches given by their peers. 

“Embarking on the Macklin Public Speaking Program was an absolute game-changer for me. The comprehensive curriculum, led by Naz, a true expert, not only honed my communication skills but boosted my confidence exponentially.

The program’s dynamic blend of theory and practical application empowered me to craft compelling speeches, navigate diverse audiences, and master the art of persuasive communication. The supportive environment Naz created fostered a sense of camaraderie among peers, creating a space where learning felt engaging and collaborative.

Through personalized feedback and hands-on exercises, I discovered new areas of growth and improved aspects I previously struggled with. The Macklin Public Speaking Program has undoubtedly equipped me with invaluable skills essential for success in both my academic pursuits and future professional endeavors.

I wholeheartedly recommend this program to anyone looking to refine their speaking abilities and unlock their full potential as a confident, articulate communicator!” ~ Testimony from Anastasiya Golikova, Translational Life Science Technology major at UMBC.

In each session, participants prepared a 1-2 minute speech to present to the group. They created and presented stellar elevator pitches and introductions. For every practice and speech they gave, they exercised their critical thinking skills which will help them not just in careers but everyday interactions. Our participants spoke passionately about what they loved, what inspired them, and what they wanted to see more of in the world. 

“When I first started the Macklin Public Speaking Program, I was welcomed into a supportive and welcoming environment that consistently motivated me to grow and improve my public speaking abilities. I especially enjoyed that in each class, we had warm-ups that helped us prepare for each of our speeches and I especially liked how during these warm-ups, you had to think on your feet regardless of whether the speech we gave was factual or not.

I feel that I have grown throughout my time in the program. I am confident in my ability to not only give presentations or speeches in school but also in my ability to think critically on my feet, be aware of audience engagement, and expand on my vocabulary. I am grateful for the time and help I’ve received in the program, and I will keep improving my public speaking skills in the long run.

Thank you to you, Naz, and Jordan for supporting me throughout my time in the program!” From Ashley Morales, Criminal Justice and Criminology major at the University of Maryland, College Park. After going through the program, Ashley applied and was accepted into the USG Student Council as an Industry Hub Student Leader for Public Services, Education, & Social Science.

Please join us in congratulating our Macklin Public Speaking Program Fall 2023 graduates! 

If you’ve been inspired by our graduates and want to improve your public speaking skills or practice speaking publicly, the Macklin Public Speaking Program application is currently open for the Spring 2024 semester. 

Be on the lookout for our Public Speaking Program flyers around campus and in the USG Weekly newsletter. You can also find this and our other events in the Hire U app. If you have the chance, please stop by our Macklin Center in Building IV, Room 1322. We can’t wait to see you!