Laney Professional and Academic Communication Support (Laney-PACS)
Laney-PACS helps graduate students strengthen the oral and written communication skills they need for academic and professional success.
Meet Our TeamEffective oral and written communication is a core competency that shapes student success in graduate school and beyond.
Laney Graduate School’s Professional and Academic Communication Support program (Laney-PACS) provides resources to help students communicate at the graduate and professional level.
We work closely with other Laney Graduate School units, such as Professional Development and Career Planning, to ensure that students have the communication skills they need to flourish.
Laney-PACS also works with programs to provide embedded communication support tailored to their students’ field-specific communication needs.
New OfferingLGS Speaking Studio
Get Personalized Speaking Support
For personalized support, schedule a 30-minute appointment with a trained communication consultant. Consultants can help with presentations, teaching, interviews, and other oral communication skills.
Asynchronous Speaking Skills Support
Preparing for a presentation, elevator pitch or interview? LGS students have free, unlimited access to PitchVantage (opens in a new window), an award-winning, AI-powered platform that provides personalized speaking practice and feedback.
Students who use English as an additional language can also access the Blue Canoe (opens in a new window) pronunciation app at no cost.
Make an LGS Speaking Studio appointment to get set up with either software.
Writing Support
Writing Consultations with an LGS English Language Specialist
All LGS students can schedule a free, 30-minute consultation with an English language specialist, regardless of language background. Receive feedback on academic, scientific or career-focused writing at any stage, from early planning through final revisions. Students may book one appointment or work with the same specialist across several sessions.
Schedule a Writing ConsultationEmory Writing Center
The Emory Writing Center, located in Woodruff Library, offers writing support for LGS students. Graduate fellows and trained tutors can help with course papers, dissertation chapters, articles, conference proposals, grants and job application materials. English language learning specialists are also available.
Visit the Writing Center to Create an AccountGraduate Student Writing Groups
Graduate student writing groups offer dedicated time to work alongside other LGS students. Weekly sessions use timed writing intervals to help you focus and make steady progress on drafting, revising, reviewing research or responding to advisor feedback. Writing tutors and English language specialists are available for feedback.
Express Interest in a Writing GroupDissertation & Thesis Writing Boot Camps
Dissertation and thesis writing boot camps give advanced graduate students a structured, distraction-free space for focused work. These one-day sessions include timed writing periods, scheduled breaks and access to writing tutors and librarians. Lunch and refreshments are provided.
Express Interest in a Boot CampEnglish Language Support
English Language Courses
LGS offers for-credit English language courses for graduate students who use English as an additional language. Courses focus on academic writing, speaking and professional communication. Experienced instructors with advanced degrees in applied linguistics teach each course once a week.
Incoming students will receive information about English language support available through their programs in July.
Learn more and express interest in fall 2026 courses"I elected into a few courses, and after each one, I could feel my progress in academic writing and my daily communication in English, and I am so happy about it. ELSP is like a home for international students; you can always find confidence and support here. I also found great friends here!"
Faculty and Program Resources
Partner With Laney-PACS to Strengthen Graduate Student Communication
Laney-PACS works with faculty, directors of graduate studies, program directors and advisors to strengthen graduate students’ academic and professional communication skills. We offer writing and speaking support tailored to courses, graduate programs and individual students.
Email Laney-PACS About SupportCommunication Support for Courses
Laney-PACS can provide guest lectures or instructional modules to support courses that include presentations, major writing assignments or other communication-focused work. We collaborate with instructors to introduce genre-specific practices, provide feedback on drafts and lead targeted skill-building activities.
Communication Support for Graduate Programs
Laney-PACS provides communication support at the program level, working to build students’ writing and speaking skills for important program milestones. Collaborate with us to provide courses, clinics, or workshops focused on program goals and disciplinary contexts.
Communication Support for Individual Students
Faculty, directors of graduate studies, advisors and program coordinators may refer LGS students for personalized writing or speaking support. Students can receive help with general skill development or a specific academic or professional project. Support is tailored to the student’s goals and program schedule.
Refer a student to Laney-PACSMeet the Laney Professional and Academic Communications Team
Laney Professional and Academic Communication Support (Laney-PACS) helps graduate students build the writing and speaking skills needed for academic and professional success. Our services are available to all LGS students and include individual consultations, courses, workshops, writing groups and communication tools.
We also work with faculty, program directors and advisors to create communication support tailored to courses, graduate programs and individual students.
Have questions or want to explore a partnership? Email LaneyPACS@emory.edu.
Olexandra (Sasha) Kostenko, PhD
English Language Specialist
Support from Other LGS & Emory Units:
- Make an appointment with a graduate tutor at the Emory Writing Center.
- Preparing for an interview? Sign up with an LGS Career Coach.