Case Study: California State University, Fresno boosts student engagement and retention with Top Hat’s Inclusive Public Speaking textbook

California State University, Fresno boosts engagement with Top Hat’s 50-question textbook

California State University, Fresno sought course materials that would make its diverse student population feel represented in its Fundamentals of Public Speaking course. Assistant Professor Sergio Juárez, with support from vendor Top Hat, wanted to move away from Western-centric textbooks and find a solution that would honor students' intersectional identities instead of asking them to assimilate.

Top Hat implemented its Inclusive Public Speaking: Communicating in a Diverse World textbook, which uses a multilingual model and is packed with discussion questions. This solution led to increased student engagement and participation. The measurable impacts included a decline in DFW rates, fewer students dropping the course compared to others, and high enrollment of over 400 students per semester. Top Hat also provided equitable access for students from low-income backgrounds.

California State University, Fresno