Get to know OCC Consultant Christopher Hyre
April 8, 2026
By Emma DeSantis
Christopher Hyre
Senior, general communication major, OCC peer consultant and mentor.
Christopher Hyre is one of the friendly, patient, and supportive peer consultants at the OCC. He answered some questions for me regarding his role as a peer mentor and consultant.
“My name is Christopher Hyre, I am a Senior majoring in Communication Studies, and I work as a Peer Mentor.”
Why did you choose to become a part of the OCC?
“The reason I joined the OCC is because I enjoy helping students overcome their fear of public speaking. As someone who sometimes gets anxious and nervous when giving speeches, I know how stressful it can be. I want to help others overcome that fear and make the process a lot easier for them.”
What is your favorite movie?
“My favorite movie is Superman!”
What would you say is your worst habit when presenting/speaking publicly? OR what was something that you had to work to improve upon?
“My worst habit when speaking is using filler words like “um” and “like” when I'm nervous. However, I've become way more confident when speaking by practicing and using pauses instead.”
How do you think an OCC session is more beneficial to a client than practicing on their own?
“I think what makes an OCC session more beneficial for clients is that you're getting feedback from other students/peers who have been in their shoes when giving a speech.”
How can a client apply what they learned in an OCC session to future situations?
“I think clients can apply different strategies or tips in several everyday situations, such as a class presentation, a job interview, or even a speech at a wedding. These are skills that you can carry throughout your academic/career.”
Consultants don’t only guide you on your specific presentation or speech, but they provide general advice that can be applied to so many different situations.
What is the tip that you give to almost every client?
“One tip that I tell almost every client I have is that the audience rarely ever notices that you're nervous when speaking.”
Christopher is right! According to this source from the Mayo Clinic, due to the “illusion of transparency,” when someone is presenting or speaking publicly they overestimate how nervous they appear to others.
What would you say to a client who says that they’re embarrassed to practice their presentation or speech with you?
“If a client said that they feel embarrassed to practice their speech, I would reassure them that this is a judgement free space. Many people are embarrassed, nervous, or stressed when giving a presentation, and it is our job to help them overcome that.”
What advice do you have for a client who feels like they aren’t prepared for the meeting?
“I would assure the client that it's okay that they feel not prepared, and that we can help during any stage of their speech. Whether it is creating the outline, brainstorming ideas, or helping them organize their slides.”
What would you do to help a client whose presentation is unfinished?
“I would reassure the client that it's okay if their presentation is unfinished, and that we can help work on organizing their slides and creating a clear structure, or ideas that they add. Our goal is to make sure that clients have an outline or an idea of what their presentation should look like by the end of the session.”
As Christopher highlights, OCC consultants are there to help at any step in the process, and they provide helpful advice that can be applied to academic, career, and other life circumstances. They’re here to help without judgement!
Book your appointment with the OCC today!