University of the Pacific students, faculty and staff can quell their doubts about public speaking and gain confidence through an on-campus Toastmasters Club that recently celebrated its first anniversary.

Two-dozen strong, the Talking Tigers are members of Toastmasters International, a world-wide non-profit educational organization that focuses on competent communication, public speaking and leadership.

“I am a first-year international MBA student, and this club is helping me deal with my English language barrier,” said Ying Cao ’27. “I hope to make more friends and contacts as I become more efficient and articulate in how I express my opinions.”

Speeches range from prepared, 5-to-7-minute talks on issues of importance to 1-2 minutes of improvisational commentary that must be done on the fly after receiving a topic.

“For me, it is not just public speaking but also the totality of communication. There are so many unique approaches taken by speakers,” said Shannon Chi, a budget manager for College of the Pacific, who was the visionary founder of Talking Tigers. “It is fascinating to see the confidence grow as members become more experienced speakers.”

Chi also is a member of a 71-year-old club, Greater North Stockton Toastmasters Club 64, which helped her get Talking Tigers started.

Club members Alyssa Wray (Benerd College), Marzieh Nightingale (Academic Affairs) and Ela Jamosmos (College of the Pacific), president of the club, took first, second and third place, respectively, in the Area Level Competition held in March.   

Wray then represented the club in a division competition and finished second in the speech category.

“We are competitive in the sense that we give our very best to win, but we definitely support our new members and non-competitive speakers as well,” Jamosmos said. “Both elements are important to the growth of the club.”

Shawn Kearns, who works in Pacific Technology and teaches data analytics courses, said he enjoys the feedback speakers receive.

“We listen to each other’s speeches and share thoughts or constructive criticism,” Kearns said. “There is great variety in the topics that are chosen.”

The Talking Tigers meet from noon to 12:55 PM on Wednesdays in Room 211 of the Donald and Karen DeRosa University Center on the Stockton Campus.

To join or receive more information, please contact Marzieh Nightingale, at 209.932.3252 / mnightingale@pacific.edu OR Ela Jamosmos at 209.946.2891/ ejamosmos@pacific.edu