Dustin Wood Addresses SAIL Scholars
Next Steps at Vanderbilt is an “inclusive higher education program committed to providing neurodiverse students an inclusive, transformational postsecondary education in academics, social and career development, and independent living, while honoring equality, compassion, and excellence in all endeavors.” Many of the Communication Studies faculty have worked with Next Steps students, including Dr. Wood, who has had Next Steps scholars enrolled in his Fundamentals of Public Speaking, Business Communication, and Communication and the First Amendment courses.
SAIL (Self-Advocates in Leadership) is a concentration in Next Steps that empowers students to advocate for themselves and lead in their personal and professional lives. SAIL scholars take Vanderbilt courses (such as Fundamentals of Public Speaking), complete internships, and participate in experiences like Disability Day on the Hill. Communication Skills are a core value of the SAIL program. Dr. Wood recently led a session on “Public Speaking and Presentation Skills” for the SAIL scholars.
In the session, Wood and the students discussed why people often fear public speaking and shared strategies for managing nerves associated with speaking in public. The conversation also covered characteristics of effective speaking. Wood emphasized the importance of being able to communicate well and reminded the scholars that everyone – even communication professors – can continue refining their communication skills. The time concluded with a speaking exercise that invited the students to practice the skills covered in the session. To learn more about the SAIL program, click here.