SIX-CLASS COMMUNICATION CERTIFICATE PROGRAM
Based on acting fundamentals, participants will practice the techniques that top speakers utilize to craft dynamic and compelling presentations. In six sessions participants will learn:
- How to overcome self-consciousness
- Turn passive presentations into active ones
- Use vocal variety to breathe life into a performance
Proven effective, these techniques are a valuable asset in meetings, job interviews, and research presentations. The communication certificate program, designed specifically for non-actors, is open to graduate students and postdoctoral scholars.
There is one session scheduled for Summer 2025
Classes will take place bi-weekly on:
Tuesday Aug 12 from 1-2:30pm (virtual)
Thursday Aug 14 from 1-2:30pm (on-campus)
Tuesday Aug 19 from 1-2:30pm (virtual)
Thursday Aug 21 from 1-2:30pm (on-campus)
Tuesday Aug 26 from 1-2:30pm (virtual)
Thursday Aug 28 from 1-2:30pm (on-campus)
All times are in the Pacific time zone
For future reference the class takes place:
Fall (virtual) *2025 schedule will be on Tues/Thurs from 10am-11:30 starting on 10/14/25 — 10/30/25
Winter (virtual and in-person)
Summer (virtual and in-person)
Attendance is mandatory at all 6 sessions in order to receive the certificate of completion.
If you are sick you can join via Zoom and listen in on the class. However, in order to fully participate, please plan on attending in-person for the on-campus session.
You will need access to your camera and mic in order to fully participate.
Please note that while you do not need an active research project to participate in the program, you will need a subject (business idea, past project, non-profit, cause) to use as content for the exercises in class.
The instructor, Bri McWhorter, is the founder of the communications company,
Activate to Captivate. She teaches numerous communication programs at UC Irvine, leads workshops at Fortune 500 companies, and is an executive coach for various organizations around the country.
