Dr. Lesley Withers is the Director of CMU's Presentation Skills Center and
a professor in CMU's Communication department. In addition to training and supervising staff, she specializes in working with clients experiencing communication apprehension/speech anxiety. Contact Dr. Withers to arrange tours of the Presentation Skills Center, customized classroom visits, or presentation workshops tailored to meet specific individual/group needs.
Brandan Bilski is the Assistant Director of CMU’s Presentation Skills Center. He is also a second year Graduate Assistant in pursuit of a Master's in Communication. He hails from Grand Valley State University (located in his home town Grand Rapids) where he received a Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy. While at GVSU, Brandan spent three years with the Speech Lab as Student Director consulting with students, training new speech consultants, and giving workshops on effective public speaking. He has had a passion for speaking and communication since he was a young national policy debater in high school and has coached policy debate for more than five years. His scholarly focus surrounds the philosophy of education, dialogic communication, and rhetoric.
Austin Boroch
Austin Boroch is a second-year graduate assistant in pursuit of a Master's in Communication. In addition to teaching sections of COM 101, he also works in Residence Life overseeing graduate student apartments. He believes in practical, ready-to-use education in communication--especially regarding public speaking. His interests and backgrounds in theatre and student affairs have provided opportunities to enhance his public speaking skills, and he is excited to work alongside others from various communication backgrounds.
Samantha Cannon
Samantha Cannon is a senior at CMU majoring in Communication with a minor in Leadership. In the long run, she'd like to be a 911 operator, but in the mean time, would like to build her communication background as a Social Media Specialist. Samantha has been a member of the all-female a cappella group, On The Rox, for 3 years, this year as the Public Relations chair. In August, she hopes to participate in the Disney College Program before she returns to graduate in the Spring. Samantha considers herself a strong public speaker and would love to help you with any presentation needs!
Joshua Champney
Joshua Champney is a senior at Central Michigan University. His major is Communication with minors in Management and German. Josh is a soccer fan and has spent the last two summers working for Detroit City FC where he has gained experience working in operations and sales. He looks forward to helping others with the tools he's learned in the classroom and through his experience.
Sara Coppo
Sara Coppo is a senior Communication
major and a Journalism minor. She is originally from Marshall, Michigan. In her free time, she enjoys hanging out with friends and being outdoors with her dog. She has experience in external communications for a non-profit organization. She is excited to assist clients in presentation creation and execution with the knowledge she has gained from many CMU communication courses.
Roberto Herrera
Roberto Herrera is a senior at Central Michigan University who is currently studying Psychology with a minor in Communication. He has a strong background in communication skills, including two years of Youth in Government in high school, taking electives that focus on clinical interviewing and classroom communication.
Sarah Kalinowski
Sarah Kalinowski is currently a senior at Central Michigan University majoring in Integrative Public Relations with a minor in Communication. She is from Buffalo, Michigan and enjoys the "life on the lake" lifestyle. She also enjoys traveling and tries to go on an adventure any chance she gets. She is passionate about public speaking and believe communication skills can take you far on any career path you choose.
Stacie KeipingerStacie Keipinger is a second-year graduate assistant in pursuit of a Master's in Communication. She hails from Saginaw Valley State University with a Bachelor's in Communication and a Master's from Central Michigan University in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages. Stacie is proficient in public speaking and understands the struggle that public speaking can present and the behaviors needed to be successful. She has a decade of experience working with students in higher education. Stacie enjoys gaming, music, horror movies, and looking forward to working in higher education after graduating.
Emily MarkeyEmily Markey is a senior at CMU, majoring in Communication and with a minor in American Sign Language. Her hometown is Canton, Michigan. She enjoys music, hiking, and traveling. Emily has experience in teaching music and performance. She loves meeting new people and is looking forward to helping clients become better communicators and speakers.
Corbin McLean
Corbin McLean is a second-year graduate assistant in pursuit of a Master's in Communication. Though originally from Chicago, he received a Bachelor's of Arts from Cincinnati's Xavier University with majors in Public Relations, Digital Media, and Classical Humanities. With a diverse set of interests ranging from public speaking to mass communication, he is excited to continue his professional journey by helping others with their presentation needs.
Kendall Reid
Kendall Reid is a junior double majoring in Communication and Integrative Public Relations. She has taken many communication classes and can’t wait to help other students. Her favorite communication class was COM 251. She has participated in the Disney College Program and just had a communication internship at the Detroit Zoo. She is also involved in Greek Life on campus.
Abby Schmidt
Abby Schmidt is a senior at Central Michigan University. Her major is Communication and her minors are Sales and Leadership. Abby is involved in Greek life and volunteers in the Mary Ellen Brandell Center as a Lunch Buddy.
Brooke Ritter
Brooke Ritter is a graduate assistant at Central Michigan
University. Her major is Communication.
Julia Smail
Julia Smail is a junior at Central Michigan University. Her hometown is Clarkston, Michigan. Her major is Communication and her minors are Sales and Leadership. Julia enjoys the outdoors and visiting Walt Disney World. Julia is in Greek life on campus and is the Vice President of Communications. She has been on an Alternative Break and had a summer internship at International Automotive Components.
Claire Stevenson
Claire Stevenson is a senior pursuing a degree in Communication with a minor in Women and Gender Studies. She is passionate about helping others and is thrilled to have the opportunity to do that using her communication skills and public speaking knowledge. Claire hopes that working in the Presentation Skills Center not only allows her to assist others, but to continue to grow herself as a communication professional. In her free time, Claire enjoys traveling, reading, and spending time with family and friends.
Laykin Stone
Brighton Unaegbu
Brighton Unaegbu is a senior at Central Michigan University. He majors in Political Science with a minor in Communication. Brighton is involved in intramural sports and mock trial at on campus. He enjoys meeting new people, hanging with family and friends, staying active, and traveling. He has taken many communication courses which will surely help in his sharing of knowledge and materials with fellow students. Brighton is excited about his role in the Presentation Skills Center again this semester.
Justin Varcie
Justin Varcie is a senior at Central Michigan University; in May, he will walk with a major in Communication and a minor in Leadership. He hopes to be a Director of Communications at a corporation. When not in class or at the Presentation Skills Center, you can find him with friends, doing something at the SAC, or just walking around campus taking in the beautiful views! He hopes to assist you with all your presentation needs.