Editor’s note: This story has been updated to reflect changes brought about by the merging of the Writing and Speaking Centers.
With students starting on year-long papers and presentations, courses can seem unbearable. The Communication Lab, which rolled out this year by merging the formerly separate Writing and Speaking Centers, serves as an easily accessible resource to ease some of the academic stress that comes with being a student.
The Communication Lab provides one-on-one feedback on any writing, speaking, or visual project at any stage of the creative process. Consultants consist of undergraduate or graduate students who are trained with hands-on experience and can help identify how to finetune an upcoming speech or presentation, work on grammar or sentence structure, or transform a rough draft into a quality final draft and more regarding written and oral communication.
The Communication Lab is on the third floor of the Moore Humanities and Research Administration (MHRA) building in Room 3211 and offers services to UNCG students, faculty, staff, and even alumni.
Communication Lab hours are:
- Monday – Thursday from 9 a.m. – 7 p.m.
- Friday from 9 a.m. – 12 p.m.
- Sunday online only from 3 p.m. – 8 p.m.
Appointments are available now on Tracloud for individual or group sessions. You can prepare for a visit to the Communication Lab by bringing feedback you received on a project, access to your draft, and by knowing expectations for a particular assignment or what you want to work on ahead of time.
All Authors deserve good readers
“The Communication Lab employs a unique approach that revolves around putting the author at the center of the entire process. This approach involves asking open-ended questions that are designed to stimulate the student’s thought process and encourage them to generate new ideas and insights. “
Bosola Banjo, Peer Consultant
“The Communication lab has helped act as a filter between my thoughts and my writing, helping me figure out how to take the complex arguments in my head and shape those into an actual, clear, concise, and articulate argument.”
Ethan Divon, Peer Consultant
Jennifer Whitaker, director of the newly merged Communication Lab, says, “In the Communication Lab, we believe every student deserves to be the author of their story, and that’s why we exist.” Spartans can meet with consultants to review written or spoken communication of their choice, including their work outside of academic courses like a journal article or a scholarship essay.
“The Communication Lab is a conversational space to try out new ideas so that authors feel prepared to go back and revise or start over and write or speak with new energy,” Whitaker explains.
Sessions between authors and consultants can last up to 45 minutes. During a session, the consultants will strategize with the authors about their main concerns for the written or spoken communication. Those may be citations, formatting, or editing-related. It is the writers, with the support of consultants, who set their own goals for their process.
Speaking your way to success
“We strive to meet students at their current level of progress. We do not expect them to have anything prepared or completed before they come to us for assistance. Our goal is to provide support and guidance in speechmaking, no matter where the student is.”
Cohan Council, Peer Consultant
“Often, students attend the Communication lab as a requirement for public speaking assignments from their professors. However, we offer additional consultations including speech practices and conversations.”
Jaela Agee, Peer Consultant
The Communication Lab supports students enrolled in Minerva’s Academic Curriculum (MAC) oral competency courses but is available to anyone with a public speaking, group leadership, or personal need. Speakers may drop by in person or schedule an online session for areas in public speaking delivery, interpersonal communication, and group or team communication.
Within the first few minutes of a session, consultants check in with student speakers to determine where they are in their speech-making process. Together, they’ll go over introductions and conclusions, verbal fillers, and other strategies that help them manage any anxiety over speaking.
Students can pre-record their speech and request a video review session. The lab will never write a paper or speech for the student, but instead provide guidance on developing their own verbal and non-verbal expressions, encouraging an increase in students’ confidence that prepares them for the next big project.
Whether it be writer’s block, stress from public speaking, or other health-related problems, there are programs available for every Spartan at UNCG.
Story by Lauren Segers, University Communications
Photography by Sean Norona, University Communications
