WRITING, RHETORIC & COMMUNICATIONS
The Public Speaking Lab
Welcome to the PSL!! The 2024-2025 academic year is an exciting time to meet the PSL staff and to learn what this free student service offers.
Our mission statement is "To support, guide, inspire confidence and improve ESF students' ongoing public speaking and communication skillsets through collaborative dialogue." Below, you will find helpful information, including the PSL location, services offered, how to book an appointment for your tutoring session with one of our PSL tutors, current tutor pictures and biographic information and the PSL tutoring schedule. In addition, there are PSL video tutorials and the "Speaking of the Environment" podcast series. To learn more about the PSL, please reach out to the PSL Coordinator: Christina Ciereck – caciereck@esf.edu.
Location
The PSL is located in 120 Marshall, inside the Digital Storytelling Studio. This is where the face-to-face tutoring appointments will take place with your selected tutor. Online appointments will be conducted via a Zoom link.
Services
The PSL supports the development of our undergraduate and graduate students' public, academic, and professional speaking skills. PSL student tutors will work with you either in person or online through Zoom to provide formative feedback on presentations and presentation materials (from outlines, organization, and presentation visuals). The online hours are specifically indicated on the schedule.
*Weekend hours are now available on Sunday evenings, online!
Making Your Appointment
To make an appointment, visit the PSL online scheduling system, esf.mywconline.com and set up an account. Once your account has been made, select a tutor and an available time which works for you. Check your email for a confirmation from the wconline system and the tutor. Your selected tutor will respond to you via email and take you through the necessary steps to complete your appointment as well as how we can make the most out of your appointment time.
Spring 2025 Hours
Video Tutorials and Resources
PSL Podcast Series - "Speaking of the Environment"
Episode 1 – 'Speaking From The Heart' with Dr. Valerie Luzadis, hosted by Eddie Ward can be found here.
Episode 2 – 'Planting A Seed' with Dr. Silje Kristiansen, hosted by Bridget Jones can be found here.
PSL - Reading Material - Helpful Tips
If you are interested in reading material which will augment your PSL experience please contact Christina Ciereck at caciereck@esf.edu. The material includes a wide range of helpful tips. For example, topics such as: presentation organization; public presentation and anxiety; and successful poster presentations.
Faculty Requests for PSL Services
We welcome assignment and course-specific collaborations with faculty. In order to ensure that our small staff can receive training and accommodate students in a timely manner, we recommend that faculty contact the lab coordinator (Christina Ciereckcaciereck@esf.edu) one month before the service is needed.
PSL Staff
Addison Thornton, PSL Tutor
Email:athornton1@esf.edu
Academic Year: Freshman
Major: Environmental Studies
Areas of Expertise in Public Presentation: Creating a well-detailed and organized outline, incorporating personal anecdotes
within a speech, and practicing and executing delivery skills which help minimize
public speaking anxieties
General Interests:Watching movies, playing pickleball, listening to music, and trying new workout classes
Anna Papantonopoulos, PSL Tutor
Email: apapantonopoulos@esf.edu
Academic Year: Junior
Major:Environmental Studies
Minors: Environmental Writing & Rhetoric
Areas of Expertise in Public Presentation: Creating a thorough and detained outline, incorporating creative elements into writing,
using engaging delivery methods in a speech, and creating methods to help alleviate
public speaking anxiety.
General Interests: Reading, cooking, hiking, playing instruments, singing, listening to music
Maddie Westervelt, PSL Tutor
Email: mwestervelt@esf.edu
Academic Year: Senior
Major: Natural Resource Management
Areas of Expertise in Public Presentation: incorporating unique details and using creativity within a speech, using various
strategies to help with public speaking anxiety, and using effective delivery skills
within a speech
General Interests: reading, hiking, camping, canoeing/kayaking, drawing/painting, photography, cooking/baking,
and listening to music
Phoenix Wyant, PSL Tutor
Email: pwyant@esf.edu
Academic Year: Junior
Major: Conservation Biology
Minor: Food Studies
Areas of Expertise in Public Presentation: Organizing and executing informative speeches and presentations and evaluating, strategizing,
and demonstrating effective use of delivery skills
General Interests: cooking, entomology, hiking, fishing, and plant care
Christopher Kilbridge, PSL Tutor
Email: ckilbridge@esf.edu
Academic Year: Sophomore
Major: Sustainable Energy Management
Areas of Expertise in Public Presentation: Developing, practicing, and perfecting overall delivery skills by utilizing 8+ years
of performing arts and theater experience.
General Interests: Reading, playing ultimate frisbee, and rock climbing.
Christina Ciereck, PSL Coordinator
caciereck@esf.edu
225 Marshall Hall
Check us out on Instagram @suny_esf_psl for upcoming events and mini-tutorials. Also, keep up to date on the latest projects the tutors are working on. Like and follow us!