Business Essentials faculty teach courses that help all business majors develop core business and professional skills that are critical to your success as a student and beyond. Business Essentials courses are part of the shared undergraduate business curriculum.
BUSN 201: Foundations of Business
BUSN 205: Introduction to the World of Business
BUSN 225: Winning Presentations
BUSN 325: Organizational Communication
BUSN 212: Business Problem Solving and Analytics
BUSN 301: Career and Professional Development
BUSN 323: Legal Environment of Business
BUSN 329: Intercultural Communication
Info 16X Series
Studio BE
Mission
We offer a safe space for students to expand their Business Essential skills in communications (public speaking).
Our diverse team of peer consultants guides students to present their business knowledge in clear, concise, and creative ways, driving audiences to action.
We provide a welcoming environment with peer consultants who are experts in public speaking.
We are inspired by creativity.
We seek opportunities for growth as individuals and as a community of business professionals.
Offerings
Studio BE offers peer tutoring for presentations. Peer consultants are available for in-person and virtual appointments. Virtual appointments are held over Zoom, and in-person appointments are held in Snead Hall B2111.
In the next dropdown list, select the service you wish to sign up for,
School of Business Presentation Consultation
Location is Studio BE virtual
Select the time and day of the appointment
Check your VCU email for confirmation
Meet the Team
Meher Mohan
Meher is a third-year student at Virginia Commonwealth University pursuing a double major in psychology and supply chain management. Meher is involved in Alpha Kappa Psi, a co-ed business fraternity, and is currently the fundraising director.
Outside of school, she enjoys staying active with weightlifting, going on hikes and going to the beach. She loves to read, travel and hang out with friends.
Meher’s favorite thing about Studio BE is being able to help students with similar backgrounds get over their fears concerning presenting. She is excited to help create engaging, exciting presentations for VCU’s business students.
Tyra Spaulding
Tyra is a second-year student at Virginia Commonwealth pursuing a supply chain management & analytics degree with a minor in information systems. Tyra is the Secretary for Leadership for Women of Color and the Director of Community Service for the Black Student Union.
Equally important, she enjoys outdoor picnics, concerts, scrapbooking and enjoying time with her family.
Tyra’s favorite thing about Studio BE is connecting with differing personalities to curate unique presentations & slideshows.
What kind of appointments do you offer?
Studio BE offers presentation appointments
What is a presentation consultation?
Work one-on-one with an experienced peer consultant to nail your next presentation. Get 25 minutes of personalized coaching as you develop and polish your content and visuals. Peer consultants will guide you through the process from start to finish. If the length of your presentation is 10-minutes or greater, schedule two back-to-back sessions. All teams/groups need to sign up for two back-to-back sessions.
You will be expected to rehearse your presentation aloud as if you were presenting the real thing. Rehearsing aloud helps you identify what is working and what needs work. It also will help you learn your content to deliver with confidence. The consultants will not read through your outline or drafts. You will deliver your ideas to the consultants and they will take notes and offer feedback.
Be prepared to share your screen if you are working with a slideshow.
What can I expect from my appointment?
You can expect the same welcome and friendly service both online and in person. Consultants are here to help you!
Peer consultants will meet you where you are in your process, from brainstorm to drafting, or dress rehearsal.
Check-in for your appointment
In Navigate OR
In B2111 of Snead Hall
At the start of the appointment, you and the consultant will go over your goals.
The consultant will either have you complete the feedback form in the Studio before you leave.
The consultant will email you the notes from the session.
What do you expect from me for my appointment?
BE Prepared, BE Professional
Students often report that the experience could have been better if they were more prepared for the appointment.
Arrive on-time. Communicate with the consultant if you will be late.
More than 5 minutes late? Your instructor will be notified to determine if credit for attendance is awarded. The consultant will do the best they can to help you with the time allotted. The appointment will conclude at the scheduled time so you can complete the feedback form and they can prepare for the next appointment.
Writing consultations: Check the confirmation email for instructions on submitting your assignment prior to your appointment.
Be ready to read your written work aloud, or rehearse your presentation on your feet and out loud. The consultant will take notes and offer feedback.
If you are still in the brainstorming stage, consultants will ask questions to help you discover and craft your content. They will not create content for you.
If you have a virtual appointment, please have your camera on. If you are not able to have the camera on, no problem. The consultant will work with you through audio.
About Studio BE
A peer consultant will meet with your students to review their assignments and offer feedback to help improve their skills in communication. The goal of Studio BE is to polish students’ existing skills to prepare them for life after college. We keep attendance records and notify instructors at least once per month if a student attended an appointment for their class.
Syllabus Statement
Students can meet with a tutor at Studio BE in person or online by making an appointment at vcu.campus.eab.com.
Studio BE is located in Snead Hall B1212. It is a free resource for VCU business undergraduate majors and minors. Trained peer tutors are ready to meet with students and assist them with presentation assignments. Tutors are prepared to meet with students at any stage of the process, from brainstorming to organizing to final drafts and working through math problems.
Sample Rubrics:
Rubrics for grading presentations can be found on the School of Business page on Canvas under Faculty/Teaching Resources.
Faculty FAQs
How should I share Studio BE with my students?
Copy and paste the following into Announcements on Canvas:
Dear Students, Do you need 1-on-1 help with presentation assignments for business classes? The School of Business has tutors available to help you in Snead Hall at Studio BE. Visit the Business Essentials web page for instructions on how to sign up.
How can I confirm my students' attendance?
Studio BE keeps track of students’ attendance. Each week, professors will be emailed a list of their students that attended.
Can I require students to attend a consultation in Studio BE?
Yes, but our services are limited. In order to make sure we have enough staff to accommodate your entire class, please email us the assignment description, due dates, and rubrics. The more information you can provide, the better we will be able to assist your students.
What should my students have prepared before visiting Studio BE?
Studio BE can help students at any stage of their assignment. Students do not need to have a full draft before coming in to meet with our consultants, but appointments work best when students have a clear understanding of the assignment.
