Assistant Professor of Corporate Communication Stephanie Longo, far left, has partnered with the Electric City Toastmasters, a local professional group, to introduce her students to real-world settings and give them professional experiences, all geared toward improving their public speaking and communications skills. Pictured from left are Longo, students James Bernosky, Ava Compton, Zamarra Vrabel, Emma Bannon, Rebekah Howells, Matthew Reyes and Sarah Murphy; and Holly Swingle, vice president of membership for the Electric City Toastmasters.
DUNMORE, Pa. — Public speaking is a crucial skill for any professional, and Penn State Scranton’s Corporate Communication 405: Strategic Speaking course is helping students hone this essential skill. This unique class emphasizes large-group communication in a professional setting and is designed to make students comfortable speaking in front of an unfamiliar audience.
Stephanie Longo, assistant professor of corporate communication and the course's instructor, is an experienced public speaker.
“The overall goal of this course is to help students feel more comfortable speaking in front of a group of people they may not know personally,” she explained. “We’ve also been examining how TEDx has revolutionized the public speaking sphere, placing the emphasis on the craft of the message and how it’s delivered through strategy, storytelling and staging.”
Each Thursday, students participate in a speech lab where they have the opportunity to speak on random or assigned topics, allowing them to practice thinking on their feet and improving their verbal communication skills. This hands-on approach is an integral part of the course to help students build their confidence in public speaking.
Longo’s primary aim is to help students develop the ability to present without relying on notes or a PowerPoint. She wants students to feel confident and articulate when expressing their thoughts or presenting their research.
“Public speaking is not just about getting up in front of a group and delivering a message — there’s a strategic aspect to it that ties into personal branding,” she said. “The presentation needs to have a logical flow and design that captures the audience’s attention and holds it. How a person acts and looks when presenting is also part of the overall speech package.”
Real-world experiences
One standout feature of the course is its emphasis on real-world experiences in public speaking. Longo has partnered with the Electric City Toastmasters, a nonprofit organization aimed at improving professional public speaking skills. Students are encouraged to attend Toastmasters meetings to offer them a chance to practice speaking in front of strangers and network with local professionals.
“Public speaking isn’t just a class they take to graduate. It’s something that can benefit their careers,” Longo said.
By witnessing Toastmasters members — many of whom are seasoned professionals — practice their speaking skills, students gain insight into the ongoing process of improving public speaking abilities. Longo also has worked closely with Penn State Scranton’s Admission Department to provide students with an additional opportunity to practice speaking in front of large groups. Students in the class will soon begin speaking about their experiences at Penn State Scranton to high school students who visit the campus, aiming to encourage prospective students to enroll.
Impact on student experience
“This class prepares us for a multitude of speech categories, which is extremely helpful for us as corporate communication majors. It not only focuses on traditional ‘business’ speeches but also gives us the chance to learn different styles like the demonstrative and dramatic speech assignments,” said Ava Compton, a student currently taking the course. “The random topic speech days have also helped me grow my confidence in public speaking, as this even helps us practice having everyday conversations It makes me feel as though I am more prepared to enter the corporate world.”
Compton also highlighted how the collaboration with Toastmasters has benefited her.
“Having the opportunity to partner with Toastmasters and attend their meetings is also a great way for us students to network and meet new people in the community outside of Penn State,” she said. “This will help us better prepare talking to actual strangers, rather than with classmates who we have had multiple classes with thus far. This can also be said for the admissions event assignment.”
Longo’s ultimate goal is to ensure that students leave the course with enhanced speech literacy to set them apart from their future colleagues. By integrating peer feedback and weekly evaluations, students not only improve their public speaking skills but also develop a sense of competitive spirit and morale.
For students taking the course, it is more than just a class. Longo said it’s an opportunity to master the art of public speaking and build skills that will help them become more effective communicators — not just by preparing them to speak in front of an audience, but also teaching them how to strategically craft and deliver messages that leave a lasting impact, helping them excel in their careers.
