PEOPLE
Since its inception, over 200 UW undergraduates have trained to become speech consultants. Coaching speech provides benefits to both the trainer and the receiver. Visitors to the Center get high-quality feedback that can immediately improve their speeches. Coaches deeper their sense of rhetorical judgment, which makes them better speakers and consultants.
Matt McGarrity | Director
Matt is a Teaching Professor of Communication at the University of Washington.
Matt started the Center in 2006 and has trained every consultant since. Matt’s teaching and research focus on public speaking, argumentation, debate, and the history of rhetoric. He founded and continues to direct the University of Washington Center for Speech and Debate. He has won multiple teaching awards, including UW’s Distinguished Teaching Award, Toastmaster’s Communications & Leadership Award, and the National Speakers’ Association’s Outstanding Professor Award. His free online public speaking class has reached a million students in over 170 countries.
Affiliate Faculty
Justin Eckstein
Justin Eckstein (PhD, University of Denver) is an Associate Professor of Communication at Pacific Lutheran University and Affiliate Faculty in the Department of Communication at the University of Washington. Dr. Eckstein studies how a sensual social supplies citizens with resources for advocacy. He co-edited Cookery: Food Rhetorics and Social Production (University of Alabama Press), published in peer review journals, numerous edited collections, and conference proceedings. Dr. Eckstein’s scholarly contributions won him the 2020 Rhetorical Communication Theory’s Early Career award. Since 2015, he has worked with the Washington State Debate Coalition (WSDC) a non-profit, non-partisan organization dedicated to supporting debates in the state of Washington. In 2020-2021, he was awarded a Fellowship at the Jackson Family Foundation. Since then, Dr. Eckstein has used his expertise to consult with likeminded groups that share his commitment to depolarization.
Current Consultants
Chloe Adams
Chloe is a third-year Communication major at the University of Washington. Spring 2025 will be her fourth quarter consulting at the Center for Speech and Debate. Her background in public speaking began in theatre, in both on-stage and executive positions. There, she learned that self confidence, thorough preparation, and personal style help you prosper. Currently, she studies the intersection of communication and the environment.
Chloe’s goal as a consultant is to help develop the unique strengths in every speaker. All students deserve to feel confident and empowered with the tools to deliver their message. She loves to hear the diversity of topics students bring to sessions, and is enthusiastic to help brainstorm, organize, and refine speeches. Whatever your experience and relationship with public speaking, she is there to assist you in developing confidence, focus, and resilience.
Brinley Aiken
Despite her deep love for the craft, she recalls the nerves that accompanied each speech during her time in COM 220. She understands how intimidating public speaking can be and hopes to encourage others who are stepping out of their comfort zone. Her goal as a coach is to empower students to feel confident in their abilities and firmly believes that with the right coaching and practice, anyone can become comfortable with public speaking.
Helena Borozan
Koa Chi
Koa is a third year Communication student. His background in public speaking comes from years of performance and feedback from those around him. Koa has a wide set of passions enabling him to connect his speech topics with his own interests. As a speech consultant, his goal is to use his experience with public speaking to help speakers reach their goals. He is excited to help and meet all the speakers!
Kayah Corpus
Amy Decaire
Amy is a first-year student at the University of Washington with an intended major of Communications. Originally from the Seattle area, she grew up always being outdoors, enjoying nature, and playing sports.
Amy was first introduced to public speaking in middle school while speaking at her school’s open house events. Since then, she has grown in speaking confidence and competency, culminating her skills in the COM 220 class. As a lifelong Girl Scout, Amy has worked on a variety of community outreach and leadership projects with fundraising and public speaking aspects that instilled a passion for helping others.
As a speech coach, Amy strives to create an environment where all speakers can overcome their fear of public speaking and grow their own confidence. She understands the versatility of public speaking as a life skill and works to make that success a possibility for all speakers.
Cassie Diamond
Cassie Diamond is a third-year student majoring in Journalism and Public Interest Communication with a minor in Political Science. Outside of being a speech consultant, she is also a writer for The Daily. Whether in speech or print, Cassie is passionate about finding ways to communicate ideas as clearly and effectively as possible. As a consultant, she wants to help each client convey their message in a coherent manner while still allowing their unique voice to shine through. In addition, Cassie knows firsthand just how daunting public speaking can be, so she hopes to create a welcoming environment where each client is comfortable with making mistakes and then learning from them.
Faith Ellis
Faith is a third year student pursuing a degree in Journalism and Public Interest Communication. She is hoping to attend the Navy Officer Candidate School after graduation and commission as a Public Affairs Officer. Faith loves to spend her freetime drawing, painting, reading, or playing video games with her friends. As someone who grew up very shy and reserved, Faiths passion for public speaking was a shock to those in her life. She hopes to aid people who are like her, who feel a strong apprehension towards public speaking, learn to love it through finding passion in whatever they are speaking about as well as help open people up to appreciating the value of a critique.
Emily Fleener
Emily is a senior studying Communication with a minor in Business Administration. Born and raised in Newport Beach, California, she grew up loving the beach and anything outdoors, which has always inspired her to bring energy and enthusiasm to everything she does.
Emily’s background includes experience in customer service, serving as president of a student organization with over 120 members, and completing two public speaking courses (COM 220 & 320) at the University of Washington. These courses and experiences helped her transform from being a nervous speaker into someone who genuinely enjoys public speaking. This journey has given her a deep understanding of the challenges and rewards of effective communication, and she cannot wait to help others navigate this process.
As a tutor, her approach focuses on building confidence in speakers. Emily believes in highlighting and strengthening the best parts of a speech while providing constructive feedback to refine other areas. Her goal as a tutor is to create a positive and supportive environment where students feel empowered to grow and succeed.
She’s excited to work with you this quarter and help you become a more confident and capable communicator!
Mia Gesinger
Maddie Lambert
Maddie is a first year student currently majoring in Business Administration, with a plan to pursue Marketing. She is actively involved on campus through participation in Undergraduate Women in Business (UWIB) and the American Marketing Association (AMA). With a diverse range of leadership experiences throughout her academic journey, Maddie has consistently engaged in public speaking.
Her experience in COM 220 has allowed her to expand on these skills, deepening her understanding of the power behind an impactful and well crafted message. As a speech consultant, Maddie strongly believes in the transformative power of one’s voice. She is passionate about guiding clients to develop a strong speech through workshopping, practicing, and focusing on a client’s personal flair showing through in their final version. Maddie understands what it is like to experience writer’s block and feel shaky or out of breath from nerves. That is why she strives to cultivate a welcoming space where clients feel comfortable enough to seek guidance and become confident at every stage of their speaking journey.
Rich Mamiya
Rich is a third year studying philosophy. As his high school non-profit’s PR manager, he has a wide range of public speaking experience. From article interviews to TV interviews, Rich knows how difficult it can be to present in front of an audience. Knowing this, he emphasizes poise, comfortability, and repetition during his consultations. It takes bravery and strength to be able to give a presentation, and even more to ask for help!
Onyedikachukwu Peters
Onyeka views public speaking the same way she approaches speech consulting; it takes an open mind and confidence within oneself to succeed in. She focuses on celebrating and highlighting the speakers unique voice while helping to refine the delivery and messaging. She believes authenticity is the key to making the best and lasting impact, not just in speeches, but in casual conversation as well. Each person’s story is valuable and Onyeka is excited to help you share yours confidently and effectively.
Julia Santamaria
Julia is a second-year student at the University of Washington. She is a political science major. She is passionate in a wide variety of political issues, such as voting and educational rights. She loves learning about new issues and discussing them with others.
Julia was introduced to public speaking through her high school’s robotics club. She helped raise money for the club, so she had to regularly give business pitches with big companies (such as Boeing), which she found very scary. However, the scariest public speaking moment Julia has ever encountered (to this day) was when she had to give a speech to her 2,000-person high school, with 5 minutes notice.
Julia hopes to create a comfortable and encouraging environment for people to practice their public speaking, as she truly believes that public speaking can help with all aspects of a person’s life, regardless of who they are or what they do.
Makenna Schwab
Makenna is a third-year student studying Journalism and Public Interest Communications with a minor in Leadership. With a long history of public speaking for fundraisers, galas, presentations, and more she understands that there are different styles of public speaking. Makenna has a passion for finding confidence in front of an audience but knows the realities of public speaking apprehension too and wants to support you in your public speaking journey.
An important part of Makenna’s coaching approach is to see you and your piece holistically and encourage you to not lose your own voice in the development and performance of a speech. Each piece or event requires different things of people but the most important part is that your speech really is YOUR speech. Makenna looks forward to working with you all this quarter!
Nusha Sepehri
Nusha Sepehri is a second-year student majoring in Computer Science at the University of Washington. She has taken COM 220 and thoroughly enjoyed the opportunity to strengthen her public speaking skills. She has gained experience speaking in front of people over the years from volunteering, club leadership, and different events within the Persian community. The ability to deliver a speech or just be able to get your point across professionally is invaluable regardless of your field of work.
Nusha is excited about collaborating with individuals on their public speaking journey and witnessing their growth in confidence. She wants to foster a space where people can try new things and be comfortable with their abilities. Everyone has the capability to write a compelling speech and the capacity to deliver it in a way they can be proud of.
Saachi Sharma
Saachi is a second-year student majoring in Communication with an intended minor in Business. She is passionate about storytelling and its impact on shaping perspectives, which has driven her involvement in public speaking, journalism, and marketing. She currently works as a Communications and Marketing Intern for Delta Zeta’s national headquarters. With years of experience in speech and debate, improv, and theatre, Saachi has developed a strong understanding of the power of effective communication. As a speech consultant, she strives to create a supportive space where students can refine their speeches, build confidence, and develop their unique voices. She emphasizes stylistic and personal approaches to speechwriting to help students maximize their connection and impact with their intended
audience.
Cameron Smythe
Cameron Smythe is a second-year student at the University of Washington majoring in Communication. His primary extracurricular is LUX Film Production Club, which in his officer role has led to him hosting several meetings and even award shows. This requires him to utilize effective public speaking to engage his audience. He’s passionate about all things sports, and looking to establish a career in broadcasting/video production.
As a consultant, Cameron will help you grow your skills in a safe and friendly environment. He believes that public speaking is a powerful tool that can be applied to any facet of life. With specific feedback and practice sessions, Cameron is ready to help you find your strengths and bring them to the spotlight.
Katie Welch
Katie is a first-year student majoring in Visual Communication Design. With a lifelong background in musical theater and performance, Katie has always felt at home in front of an audience. She believes that public speaking is more than just a skill—it’s a form of self-expression and a powerful tool for connection, confidence, and leadership.
Katie’s passion for performance has shaped the way she approaches public speaking: as something that can be both polished and personal. She sees every presentation as an opportunity to tell a story and make an impact. As a speech consultant, she aims to help others discover their own voice, build confidence, and communicate clearly and authentically. Katie hopes to create a supportive and encouraging environment where students can feel comfortable, make mistakes, and grow into powerful communicators.
Center Alumni
The Center has had many UW students serve as tutors and consultants. Many of whom continue to apply their consulting skills. Below are a few notable alumni of the program.
Mikayla Hall
Mikayla is a content editor for a non-profit, preparing opinion pieces and editing original content. She was previously a speechwriter for Representative Cathy McMorris Rodgers of Eastern Washington.
“The most valuable aspect of tutoring at the speaking center was the opportunity to work with so many different people. You learn how to work with people to improve their writing and speaking, but in a way that highlights their own unique styles and voices. While I no longer serve in a speechwriting role, the ability to adapt my own writing and editing to other people’s voices is a skill I’ll carry with me to any job I may have down the road.”
Maddy Epstein
Maddy is currently a Senior Communications Manager at Microsoft. Prior to that, she worked for years as a Communications Account Director at the PR firm, WE Communications. Maddy has drafted executive speeches, helped manage Microsoft’s Environmental Sustainability Communications Agency Team, and launched a Corporate Responsibility Campaign for AT&T’s CEO. She also helped lead communications for Capitol Hill Block Party.
“Being a tutor in the Public Speaking Center has been integral to my career. I have heavily referenced my experience as a public speaking tutor in every job interview. Beyond landing the job, my experience has helped me perform in my job. Public speaking is a critical skill, especially if you work in the field of communications. As they say – if you really want to learn something, try teaching it to someone else. My experience as a tutor has informed how I write speeches, add humanizing charisma to my writing, and help brief others for public speaking engagements. I am so grateful for my experience at the public speaking center.”
Elizabeth Woolf
Elizabeth is currently a speech and communication consultant at Woolf Communication focusing on engineering. She has also consulted in the Healthcare and Life Sciences industry. She consulted for Slalom and served as a keynote speaker for their events. She is a Make-A-Wish Ambassador, delivering talks in Washington.
Serving as a consultant in the Center “changed how I perform as a professional. Not only did it exponentially increase my skills in public speaking, but it taught me how to give and receive feedback – a critical part of career growth.”
William Ray
William is an Analytics Lead for Google Cloud Storage. He has worked in economic consulting, preparing analyses for various cases, such as the lawsuits against mortgage originators after the 2008 financial crisis.
The Center is “a great opportunity to learn to do a consulting-type role where you meet 1:1 with others and offer them support. I also feel strongly that the best way to learn something is by teaching. Often when I have to speak now I self-reflect by thinking about what advice I’d give to someone who came to the speaking center. It was a great use of my time and I’m glad I was able to take advantage of it in college.
Hannah Doyle
Hannah Doyle is a diplomat in the U.S. Foreign Service. As a Foreign Service Officer, her mission is to promote peace, support prosperity, and protect American citizens while advancing U.S. interests abroad. She graduated from the University of Washington with a B.A. in Communication and a minor in Scandinavian Area Studies.
“My time at the UW Speaking Center was fundamental to cultivating effective communication skills. The knowledge I gained as a speech consultant – how to think on my feet, how to build rapport, and, most importantly, how to listen – informs my work on a daily basis.”
