Claire Gordon, Ph.D., professor of speech at Lincoln Land Community College, has been notified that the course she designed for students with speech anxiety has won the 2006 Innovation Award from the Illinois Council of Community College Administrators (ICCCA).

Dr. Gordon’s class, “Confidence in Speaking,” is designed for students with an intense fear of public speaking. “In the class, we gradually build up to speaking in front of the group,” says Dr. Gordon. “Once the students realize they’re not alone in their fears, they are usually ready to take the first step. Many former students have returned to tell me the confidence they gained by being able to speak in front of a group has helped them immensely in other classes, their jobs and personal lives.”

Students can take an online survey to see if they qualify for the class.

Dr. Gordon will make a presentation on her project at the ICCCA conference Nov. 16 in Decatur. Her presentation is entitled, “Maximizing Student Success and Program Completion through Reduction of Speech Anxiety in the Basic Public Speaking Course.”

More information on this unique course is available from Dr. Gordon at 786.4944 or claire.gordon@llcc.edu