If you’ve been in any communication intensive course in the last year, you’ve received an email from Communication Studies Department Head and Associate Professor, Christopher Gearhart. “There is now a speaking center at Tarleton,” Gearhart stated in the email sent on Nov. 2, 2018. “To help students with any speech or presentation needs.”

The Tarleton Speaking Center was established in Nov. 2018. “The Student Center has received feedback from 68 people between Nov. 2018 and April 2019,” Gearhart reflects. “The feedback says that students find the service useful.”

The Speaking Center service is brought to Tarleton by student and Speaking Center tutor, James Bessler.

“I witnessed my peers struggle in their communication courses,” Bessler says. “Students had no resource for speech services on campus.” The Communication Department allowed Bessler to open the speaking center services in Nov. 2018. “Students need another resource that isn’t their professor,” Bessler said. Bessler is passionate about his position at Tarleton State University. “I hope to eventually have 100 students in the Speaking Center,” Bessler stated.

As social anxiety is on the rise and students prepare for their presentations, the Tarleton Speaking Center is here to help. The process of the speaking center is fairly easy.

The services include assistance ranging from topic selection to anxiety relief techniques. One technique to reduce anxiety while giving a speech is identifying a color in the audience. While tips can be found online, there is no substitute to presenting in front of an audience. Besler offers a judgment free environment, delivers feedback to students to pinpoint what they can improve on and assists with any concerns the students may have.

This fairly new student service comes as a relief for Tarleton students. Averaging 12 students a month, with 68 students providing feedback, it’s safe to assume the Speaking Center meets the student’s needs.

“When there is a major speech approaching, the center gets busy,” Bessler recollects. “Some students come here as soon as they receive their assignment. Those students are the ones who do well on their assignments.”

The center is located on the second floor of O.A. Grant, near the podcast rooms, in room 228B. Their hours are Monday- 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. to 4p.m., Tuesday- 3 p.m. to 5 p.m., Wednesday-9 a.m. to 1 a.m. and 1 p.m. – 4 p.m., Thursday-3 p.m. to 5 p.m., Friday- By Appointment. To make an appointment email, [email protected].