During their “Chill & Chat” event the Public Speaking Center (PSC) introduced their updated space to campus students, and displayed this core value of their work during the day’s events. “Everyone, without exception, has something important to say,” reflected the PSC director, Professor Amy Rider King. 

For the PSC’s limited summer hours, they hope to attain lofty goals. They are looking to engage with all of Highline, and broaden communication comfortability. By greeting the 70 visitors that attended the June 30 event, one thing is very clear: the need for the team is present. 

The center provides a variety of technical and practical services. Included among the standard speech prep is the use of classroom tools such as a projector, and white board. Allowing students to have real-world preparation for upcoming speaking assignments.

They have also found success in helping with speaking based exams, job interviews, or creating confidence around speaking out during any class setting. This can look like answering questions in front of the class, or learning how to collaborate in smaller groups. 

Social impacts from the pandemic, and the changing online school landscape have had long term effects on communication. From the PSC’s perspective most any class includes some aspect of speaking. No matter how small, or big, the center can help.

Remla Abduraham, tutor and staff lead, shared, “Approach [staff], and ask us any questions.” The team especially encourages those who are international, English second language, and in the achieve program to use their services. “We want the PSC to be a comfortable space for everyone with all backgrounds. So when they can come in here, they can talk to [staff] and improve all aspects of speaking.”

This work brings Abduraham joy. As a first generation college attendee, she shares special connections with visitors in similar life situations. “There was an international student, who came in a day before her speech was due…She was very nervous, she was pivoting from one foot to the other, and had trouble making eye contact…And I kid you not, about thirty minutes later she had it perfect!” Abduraham continued, “She left feeling confident about her speech, it made me feel so satisfied. It really made me happy.”

With kind and passionate staff, PSC services extend beyond the four walls of Building 25, room 619. They also offer in-classroom aid to educators who feel their class would benefit from a session with the tutors. During any class, for any length of time, tutors are able to observe, and work individually with students who might need more one-on-one time. (For interested faculty, email: publicspeakingcenter@highline.edu to arrange an in-class session.)

Still unsure if the center has something to offer you? Maybe you work better in a group setting? Throughout the upcoming quarters, the PSC is planning a variety of engaging workshops. The focus of these workshops is to shine a light on topics where communication is difficult. 

The next planned workshop will take place during the fall quarter and is led by Abduraham. The theme of which is “How to deal with grief, death & the process of dying”. The goal is to empower all attendees with the knowledge on how to approach someone who has lost a loved one in death.

Plans for future workshops include addressing feelings of homesickness for international students, and interacting with complex emotions. The PSC staff encourages community input regarding topics of these talks. If you are interested in an area of communication you’d like to strengthen let staff know. Subsequent workshops will be staff led, and will take place during winter and spring quarters. 

Summer plans for the PSC include an international student based mindfulness day. This limited-capacity event is held in partnership with Highline’s International Student Programs, the Marine Science and Technology Center, and the Counseling Center. It will take place Monday June 7. The PSC plans on future collaborations with Umoja, and is open to cross campus collaboration with any group or organization that is looking to engage in communication strengthening. 

In terms of big picture plans, Rider-King puts it best, “[The PSC] is the heart of communication, and communication studies…these skills are life-long. They take a lot of work and practice…The voice inside our own minds, that voice inside of all of us where we speak and interact needs a lot of disciplined attention. So I’ve just thought, what an incredible resource [the center is], with unlimited potential, for growth and evolution.”

If you are interested in using their services, the PSC is open for summer hours Mondays -Thursdays. Tutors are available in-person or on zoom, while drop-ins are welcomed, scheduled appointments are also available. No matter where you’re at in your journey at Highline, the center can help you strengthen any means to communicate more clearly.