The university is launching a new concentration in Speech Communication beginning fall 2007.

The new concentration, along with changing the bachelor's degree name from English-Communication to Communication, signifies a new focus for the university on meeting the needs of students who seek a professional advantage in the job market.

According to the National Association of Colleges and Employers, oral communication skills not only rank first on employers' lists of most-desired skills, but they also appear among the skills most lacking in new college graduates.

Halina Ablamowicz, advisor and director of the new Speech concentration, says the new concentration will feature courses highlighting specific sets of skills crucial to succeeding in a variety of careers.

"Our students will have the opportunity to refine and improve their skills in public speaking, interpersonal communication, group and organizational communication, persuasion, and intercultural communication," says Ablamowicz. "This concentration would be an excellent major or certainly a minor for students who want to enhance their abilities to relate to others and to increase their chances for pool employment.”

Ablamowicz says students who plan careers in many different fields — including government, education, law, business, organizational communication, social work, public relations and others — need to focus on how people use messages to generate meanings within and across contexts, cultures, channels, and media.

"Speaking, listening and understanding verbal and non-verbal meanings are skills we learn by observing others, by reading and studying, and by practicing those skills," she says.

The decision to propose the Speech concentration was made in response to not only the national trend but to specific university needs. Our Office of Admissions reported a significant number of Upper Cumberland students expressing interest in a comprehensive communication program. Also a Career Services' report revealed a need for Tech graduates to develop stronger communication skills.

"Our overall goal is to enhance the profile of communications at the university," says Kurt Eisen, English and Communications Department chairperson. "We are trying to create a strong culture of communication on campus."