Every day, I work to match college campus speakers to the needs of student activities/affairs professionals. In doing the work I’ve learned a lot from my SA friends and try to share that with my speaker friends. The more they know, the easier we can create a win-win for the speaker and the school.

I’ve run into a lot of speakers who think college students should want to hear whatever they have to say. Just because it’s a topic that interests them, they think it should interest everybody… or worse, that they can MAKE it interesting to everybody.

I don’t claim to be a guru, but If I tell them their topic won’t fly, or needs some adjusting to really impact today’s college student, they don’t agree, think I’m an idiot and wonder why they can’t get themselves booked. They’re in love with their topic and just don’t seem to get it.

Like I said, I’m no guru – and whether I’m an idiot or not is up for debate. But here are 13 speaking topic categories (I was born on a Friday the 13th and LOVE the number 13) I think work on college campuses TODAY.

1. Academic Achievement, Study Skills and Success in College

2. Alcohol and Drug Awareness

3. Campus Violence and Safety

4. Careers, Career Planning, Getting a Job After College

5. Cultural and Ethnic Diversity Issues, Cultural Celebrations

6. Dating and Relationships, Sex Education, Date Rape, Sexual Assault

7. Health, Nutrition, Weight Loss, Fitness

8. Leadership Skills, Student Leadership, Teambuilding

9. Money and Finance Related Issues

10. Social Media, Technology the Internet

11. Stress and College Students, Stress Reduction, Stress Management, Conflict Resolution, Life Balance

12. Veterans returning to college after serving in Iraq or Afghanistan

13. Volunteerism and Community Service

These are just one man’s opinion formed after taking a good look at the matter. If you’re in Student Affairs/Activities, help me out. I need to either confirm or deny my idiot status to my speaking friends. Can you add something I’ve missed? Delete something I’m delusional about? Tell me where the best chicken wings are in your neck of the woods? Any help is appreciated.

PEACE.
Rick