The fear of public speaking is the most common phobia ahead of death, according to the National Social Anxiety Center.

Del Mar students can help alleviate that fear and get extra help by using the Speech Communication Center on the Heritage Campus.

According to the Speech Center director, Duane Gundrum, the center is open for the semester to all students who need help with tutoring in speech, visual presentations, interpersonal skills, or just need a free cup of coffee.  

“I help students with their speeches, sometimes constructing their speeches from nothing,” Gundrum said. “Sometimes even teaching them what they need to do in order to do a speech.”

“I like that it’s free to use a computer for people who may not have that at home or can’t afford one,” math major Ariana Laurel said. ­­­­­“I like how big it is and how many computers there are, and I like that its open pretty late, pretty much all day just to give people a fair chance of coming in.”

Private meeting rooms are available and can be reserved for meetings or just a quiet place for independent or group projects. Video recording equipment is offered for students wanting to record presentations for class assignments within the meeting rooms. The Speech Center also provides black-and-white printing services.

Radiology student Bentley Cowger uses the Speech Lab to work on his presentations for many of his classes and appreciates how helpful the staff have been in helping him. “The staff have been excellent, they’re very informative, quick to help you out, sit down with you and give you some ideas or suggestions.”  

 Computers are available for all students and staff to use in the Speech Communication Center. “I think in this day and age a lot of our work has to be done on a computer, Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, what have you. So, I think it would benefit every single student here,” said Cowger.

“I assist students that come in and need help with their outlines, PowerPoints, research, practicing speeches, basically tips on how to keep rolling even though you stumbled over the last six words,” said psychology major and Speech Center staff member, Deborah Woods.  “Most often students come in for help looking over their outlines, practice rooms and PowerPoint critiques,”

The Speech Communication Center is located in General Academic Building C on the first floor, room C117. It’s open Monday through Thursday from 7:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m., and Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.