Office of Graduate Studies and Research

All CSUMB master’s students are invited to attend an initial public speaking training session. 

The competition is open to all CSUMB master’s students who have progressed far enough in a thesis or other significant research project to have clear results in hand. Competing graduate students will have access to more detailed public speaking training and workshops.

The topic is open to any field of study!  

• Hone your "Elevator Talk"
• Showcase your research and creative activities.
• Create a video of your presentation to add to your LinkedIn account for employers and colleagues to view.
• Improve your professional speaking and presentation skills.
• Earn the opportunity to participate in a CSU-wide competition.
• Win fabulous prize money!
  
              First Place: $500
              Second Place: $300
              Audience Choice: $200

• Finalists will be chosen based on their applications.
• Up to ten finalists will compete LIVE using presentation skills learned in our workshops! The 2025 competition will be live on Zoom, not on a stage.
  
• The first place, second place, and third place winners will be announced and publicized after the CSUMB Grad Slam.
• The top two finalists will compete in CSU-wide Grad Slam event. 

Send questions to gradstudies@csumb.edu

You are invited to attend one of several live information sessions to see how it all works and to answer any questions you have.  

Information Session Dates:

Wednesday, March 5th - 12:00pm - 1:00pm

Thursday, March 6th - 5:30pm - 6:30pm

Join Zoom Meeting
https://csumb.zoom.us/j/83309715177

Come to one of our workshops to learn what makes a compelling speaker and an engaging talk. There are two sessions open to all graduate students.  We will also offer more workshops and personalized training for our Grad Slam participants.

TBA

• A single static PowerPoint slide is permitted (no slide transitions, animations or ‘movement’ of any kind; the slide is to be presented from the beginning of the oration).
• No additional electronic media (e.g. sound and video files) are permitted.
• No props (e.g. costumes, musical instruments, laboratory equipment) are permitted.
• Presentations are limited to three minutes maximum. Competitors exceeding three minutes are disqualified.
• Presentations are to be delivered in traditional presentation style.
• Presentations are considered to have commenced when presenters start their presentation through movement or speech.
• Each presentation will be judged using the rubric shown below.

Judges of the Grad Slam provide a score from 1.0 to 7.0 (fractional scores like 5.5 are permitted) for each of
the two criteria. Each area is scored (with equal weighting) on a 1.0 (does not meet expectations) to 7.0
(Outstanding) scale. The highest possible score earned is 14.0. To help calibrate the scores, the meaning of
each of the numerical values is shown below.

Area 1: Comprehension & Content

● Presenter effectively communicated the background and significance of the research.
● Presenter effectively communicated the research strategy/design and the results/findings of the
research.
● Presentation followed a clear and logical sequence.
● Presenter effectively communicated the conclusions, outcomes, and impact of the research.

Area 2: Engagement & Communication

● The presentation was delivered clearly, and the language was appropriate for a non-specialist
audience.
● The slide was well-defined and enhanced the presentation
● The presenter conveyed enthusiasm for their research and captured and maintained the audience's
attention.

Scoring Guide

1.0 Does not meet expectations
2.0 Demonstrates competency but some major weaknesses
3.0 Demonstrates competency but some significant weaknesses
4.0 Good, but some flaws
5.0 Very good, only very minor flaws
6.0 Excellent, almost flawless
7.0 Outstanding, no flaws

• Info Sessions: March 5th, 12:00-1:00 p.m. / March 6th, 5:30-6:30 p.m.
  Zoom Link: https://csumb.zoom.us/j/83309715177

• March 7, 2025 at 9 p.m.: Deadline to submit Grad Slam competition application  (https://forms.gle/Ewj59uFdQY9G8KoN8)
• April 10 & 11: Optional one-on-one rehearsals through Zoom (finalists will sign up)
• April 18, 12:00 to 1:00 p.m.: CSUMB GRAD SLAM FINALS live on Zoom (Register here: https://csumb.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_0_OHKU_nRyW2eSTluKAoug)
  
• May 1: Registration Deadline for State-wide competition (information on how to register here: https://www.csusb.edu/graduate-studies/events/csu-grad-slam-2025)
• May 9: 4th Annual CSU Grad Slam competition, via Zoom, hosted by Cal State San Bernardino - All audience members/guests must register for the competition via this link by 9:30am on Friday, May 2, 2024.