Speech

The ability to create and deliver a speech—to effectively convey a message to an audience, to hold their attention and interest and to ensure they're engaging with what you are saying—is an invaluable and in-demand skill.

Oakton's Speech Program explores the role of public speaking, presentation giving and group dynamics in both formal and informal settings to assist students professionally and personally. We offer an associate in arts (A.A.) degree with a speech pre-major to help students learn the skills and strategies necessary for effective interpersonal and public communication.

Mastering the ability to create and deliver a speech or presentation can help give you a foundation for future college endeavors and make you stand out from the crowd when you seek a career.

We offer a variety of public speaking classes that will help to make you an expert communicator. In classes like Effective Speech, you will develop capability in presentational speaking through an emphasis on rhetorical theory, organization and structure of ideas, techniques for general speaking and listening effectiveness, along with practical experience in individual and group presentations. Other offerings to help you master the tools and techniques for effective oral communication include Oral Interpretation, Interpersonal Communications Across Cultures, Persuasive Speaking, Professional Presentations, as well as two levels of American Sign Language. In addition, Oakton offers a competitive speech class and a debate class where students can learn the style and rhetoric to compete in local, regional and national competitions, and travel as a member of our award-winning Speech and Debate team.

Pre-major

Oakton’s speech curriculum explores the role of public speaking, presentation and group dynamics in both formal and informal settings to assist students professionally and personally. The mastery of speech can provide students with superb career qualifications in whatever field they may choose to pursue and also offers a sound foundation for further academic endeavors.

The following pre-major is designed for students who have not decided upon a specific four-year college or university. Once a transfer school is selected, students are strongly encouraged to consult the Office of Advising, Transitions, and Student Success and the transfer institution’s catalog to select courses that will meet both Oakton and transfer institution requirements.

For more information on course selection or program-specific advising, contact the department chair. Part time students should also consult the Office of Advising, Transitions, and Student Success for part-time pre-major recommendations. General Education courses should be selected from the list of IAI General Education Courses.

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What's Next?

Pre-majors are recommended for students planning to complete a Bachelor’s degree after transferring to a four-year institution and are designed for students who have not yet decided on a specific four-year college or university. Career options in this field reflect the salaries and opportunities available to students upon completing their Bachelor’s degree.

To see specific Transfer Path agreements that Oakton has made with partner universities, please see the Transfer Partnerships and Guides.

For additional support with transfer planning, including course selection and educational planning, please contact the office of Advising, Transitions, and Student Success. The Career & Transfer Center (CTC) offers additional resources for students preparing to transfer to four-year colleges or universities.

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Enrolling at Oakton College can save you thousands of dollars and help you earn more over the course of your career. Our tuition is among the lowest in the region, and we offer many ways to bring your costs down even more.

99 percent of Oakton students graduate without debt.

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Meet Your Faculty

Oakton's professors and lecturers are experts in their fields with advanced degrees and years of real-world experience.

Meet our full-time faculty:

Robert Gynn
Chair, Speech, Theater and Music Department
Professor of Speech and Theater
B.A. DePauw University
M.A.T. Beloit College
M.S.C. Northwestern University
bgynn@oakton.edu
847-635-1843
Office 2612, Des Plaines

Carey, Veronda
Professor of Speech and Theater
B.A. Roosevelt University
M.F.A. West Virginia University
vcarey@oakton.edu
847.376.7428
Office: 2554, Des Plaines

Christy Carter
Associate Professor of Speech and Theater
B.A. Northern Illinois University
M.Ed. Loyola University
M.A. Northeastern University
ccarter@oakton.edu
847.635.7214
Room 2602, Des Plaines

Ringstad-Gagliano, Mary
Professor of Speech and Theater
B.A. University of Wisconsin - Stevens Point
M.F.A. Ohio University
ringstad@oakton.edu
847.376.7092
Office: 2602, Des Plaines

Meet our part-time faculty:

Curtis, Tim
Lecturer
B.A. Towson University
M.F.A. Indiana University
tcurtis@oakton.edu
847.635.1950
Office: 2430, Des Plaines

Fliess, Jason
Lecturer
B.A. Point Park University
M.F.A. DePaul University
jfliess@oakton.edu
847.635.1910
Office: B206, Skokie

Harris, Kate
Lecturer
B.A. Webster University Conservatory of Theater Arts
M.F.A. University of North Carolina
kaharris@oakton.edu
847.635.1950
Office: 2430, Des Plaines

Keolian, Evelyn
Lecturer
B.A. California State University, Los Angeles
M.S. University of North Texas
ekeolian@oakton.edu
847.635.1950
Office: 2430, Des Plaines

Lain, Laura Sturm
Lecturer
B.S. University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill
M.S. University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill
M.F.A. Northern Illinois University
lsturm@oakton.edu
847.635.1950
Office: 2430, Des Plaines

Langone, Christopher
Lecturer
B.A. Cornell University
PhD. Cornell University
J.D. Northwestern University
clangone@oakton.edu
847.635.1950
Office: 2430, Des Plaines

Maglio-Jung, Fran
Lecturer
A.A. Oakton College
B.A. University of Illinois at Chicago
M.A. Northeastern Illinois University
fjung@oakton.edu
847.635.1950
Office: 2430, Des Plaines

Nadolski, David
Lecturer
B.S. Western Michigan University
M.F.A. Minnesota State University, Mankato
dnadolsk@oakton.edu
847.635.1950
Office: 2430, Des Plaines

Sfikas, Katerina
Lecturer
B.A. University of Illinois, Urbana -Champaign
M.A. University of Illinois, Urbana - Champaign
ksfikas@oaktone.edu
847.635.1950
Office: 2430, Des Plaines

Wirth, Daniel
Lecturer
B.S. Central Michigan University
M.F.A. University of California - San Diego
dwirth@oakton.edu
847.635.1950
Office: 2430, Des Plaines

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