Expressive Communication Center Student Consultants Win Tutoring Award

Two Expressive Communication Center (ECC) student consultants were announced as winners of the National Communication Association's Outstanding Tutor Awards. Cayla Keiser, a health and well-being management master's student, and Gabby Garcia, a third-year industrial design major, won the Outstanding Graduate Tutor award and Outstanding Undergraduate Tutor award, respectively. This was the first year the ECC submitted nominations. Keiser and Garcia beat out nominees from communication centers across the country.

The call for nominations specified that, “Awards will be presented to the undergraduate and graduate student who have demonstrated excellence as a communication tutor/consultant. Considerations include quality of assistance, dedication, knowledge, creativity, and contributions to the teaching and learning of communication skills.”

ECC Director Elizabeth Reeves O'Connor and ECC Co-op students Jillian Walton and Shannon McPhee wrote glowing letters and Cayla and Gabby submitted their own personal statements about their work with the ECC as well as sample session reports. The Expressive Communication Center is staffed by undergraduate and graduate students from various majors across RIT. Consultants are trained to work with students from all backgrounds, with some able to assist in languages other than English, including ASL.

Congratulations, Cayla and Gabby!