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Through speaking practice and impromptu exercises, CMU students develop communication skills they can carry beyond campus.
Strong communication skills can shape how students present themselves in an interview, contribute during a meeting, deliver a presentation, or respond to an unexpected question in the workplace. CMU’s Toastmasters student organization gives students from all majors’ opportunities to develop those skills through public speaking practice. Members work on organizing their thoughts, communicating ideas clearly, engaging an audience, and responding with confidence when they have little time to prepare. At the group’s first meeting of the fall 2026 semester, students practiced those skills through impromptu speaking exercises centered on the theme “Growth Outside Your Comfort Zone.”
Divine Goveya, president of Toastmasters and a student from Zimbabwe pursuing an MSIS and MBA with an emphasis in business data analytics, said the organization provides a supportive environment where students can practice communication and develop confidence.
One exercise required students to select random objects from a box and respond to questions connected to what they chose. They had two minutes to speak and were challenged to incorporate the word of the day, “tenacious.” Another exercise used SpeechPact, a platform that assigned students random speaking topics. Niki Osakue, a second-year Master of Public Health student from Nigeria, received “the value of being unreachable” and chose to argue the opposite position.
Osakue recalled someone telling her at a CMU event the previous week, “I see you everywhere.” She interpreted the comment as a reflection of her campus involvement and used the experience to encourage other students to remain engaged and take advantage of opportunities at CMU. For Osakue, practicing through Toastmasters has strengthened her ability to respond in the moment.
“Toastmasters have given me a safe and supportive space to grow, make mistakes, learn, and find my voice,” Osakue said. “Through Table Topics, I have learned to think on my feet, organize my thoughts quickly, and speak without overthinking every word. I am still learning, but I am no longer afraid to stand up and speak.”
“Confidence comes with practice, not perfection,” Osakue said.
Cathrine Dzikiti, an MBA student in project management from Zimbabwe and a new member of Toastmasters, experienced that challenge firsthand while participating in an impromptu speaking exercise.
“All that was going through my mind was, ‘Will I have the words to say, and even if I do, will I present them well?’” Dzikiti said. “Taking that risk definitely helps me with my career path because just from doing it once, I could already see the areas that need more work.”
For Dzikiti, recognizing those areas for improvement is part of the value of practicing in a supportive environment.
“I know the more I practice, the better I will become,” she said.
Daniel Victory Abikphi, a domestic student and senior studying computer science and a returning Toastmasters member, has also seen how continued practice can build confidence over time.
“I was panicking, scared and was mumbling my words a whole lot,” Abikphi said. “With me joining the RSO, I learned how to use cues, space around me, and audience engagement to become more confident in the setting.”
Abikphi said impromptu speaking challenges students to organize their thoughts with little preparation. As he continues developing his speaking skills, he is working on bringing more creativity into his speeches and finding ways to connect with his audience.
Goveya said the benefits of Toastmasters extend beyond becoming more comfortable with public speaking. Students also have opportunities to strengthen communication and leadership skills while building connections with others.
“It gives you a safe and comfortable environment to practice, make mistakes, and gradually build your confidence,” Goveya said. “You’re also networking and developing communication and leadership skills along the way.”
Those skills can become increasingly important as students move from college into internships and professional environments.
“You’re learning how to present yourself, connect with people, and communicate your ideas with confidence, skills that carry into interviews, internships, and eventually the workplace,” Goveya said.
Goveya also connected the meeting’s word of the day, “tenacious,” to the persistence involved in becoming a stronger communicator.
“Being tenacious in public speaking is about continuing to put yourself out there, even when you’re nervous or things don’t go exactly as planned,” Goveya said. “In business, you won’t always have time to prepare the perfect response. You may have to think on the spot, organize your thoughts quickly, and communicate clearly in a pitch, board meeting, or client presentation.”
Toastmasters is open to CMU students from all majors. By giving students opportunities to practice speaking, respond to unexpected questions, and learn from experience, the organization helps them strengthen communication skills they can use in interviews, internships, and the workplace.
