UA’s Public Speaking Program Receives National Recognition

TUSCALOOSA, Ala.— The National Communication Association named The University of Alabama public speaking program as one of the 2015 Programs of Distinction. The award, given by the organization’s basic course division, honored the College of Communication and Information Sciences’ program for its outstanding efforts to cultivate student excellence in oral communication.

UA’s public speaking program recently created The Speaking Studio, developed thematic performance labs based on student academic interest, and evolved two high-profile speech competitions. These program enhancements distinguished the COM 123 program from others across the country, said John Valenzano, president of the NCA Basic Course Division.

“[The program] seems to be on the rise and has experimented with some interesting ideas,” Valenzano said. “Their programmatic assessment is authentic and meaningful. The committee was particularly fond of their program motto ‘Value and Visibility’ and believes that they have found a unique approach to meet these needs within their basic course program.”

Dr. Beth Bennett, communication studies department chair, attributed the success of the public speaking program to its change and development in response to steady growth in demand from University constituents and to the leadership of Dr. Alexa Chilcutt, director of public speaking, and Dr. Adam Brooks, assistant director of public speaking.

“During the last five years, our program has worked to keep up with demand created by the university’s growth, to focus on quality teaching and curriculum, and to bring real world application to public speaking instruction,” Chilcutt said. “We are thrilled to have received an award that validates our efforts by recognizing us as one of the premier basic courses in the nation.”