Six-week online summer camp offers students a deep dive into self-confidence and assertiveness through guided interaction, presentations, teamwork, and career-readiness
Communication skills determine your success in the classroom, on the job, and in life. What are you doing about it?
Summer Scholars Confidence Camp is a cure for pandemic-induced stalled progress. Conquer your apprehension and fear; gain assertiveness.
Next Camp: Summer 2026
June 22 – July 31, 2026 (6 Weeks)
Monday through Thursday
10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
2026 Dates: June 22 – July 30
What You Will Learn
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Understand and leverage communication apprehension in interpersonal, small group, and public presentation contexts. The world is yours when you accomplish this—I walk with you through it.
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Improve confidence and assertiveness for academic success. A deep dive into interpersonal communication, small group interaction, and public presentations.
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All lectures and breakout sessions are led by award-winning professors.
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It's not enough to just begin doing: When you more fully understand ideas and concepts, you can better leverage them. Lectures and hands-on sessions give you an expert's perspective and passions, so that you may forge your own best path forward.
Testimonials & Accolades
“Professor B has taken a challenging subject which I expected to be dry and spiced it up to be interesting. As a student, veteran, father, husband, and soldier, I was pleased to observe the professor challenge young students to think more deeply about their lives. His level of professionalism is a credit to the university...”
Indiana University South Bend
“- - -”
University of Notre Dame
“We learned that we had little to no protocol within the county when it comes to the proper procedures for employee terminations as set forth by the American labor standards. Utilizing the skills I acquired in this class greatly reduced the possibility for outrage and major disruption to the office.”
Purdue University Northwest
“This class is critical. I NEEDED EVERYTHING THAT I HAVE LEARNED. The class has conversations on topic with his questions. Other teachers may hear from a few students...he encourages full participation. I really feel that he is actively listening to each person. He is a really kind man, fair, knowledgeable on this subject and encourages all be open outside of the class, and practice what we have learned...turned out to be a really GREAT CLASS.”
Bethel University
“Adjunct Faculty of the Year Award, 2014
The highest teaching honor for seven-campus region.”
Ivy Tech Community College of Indiana, South Bend
“Hello, Professor. I just wanted to send a quick thank you for an amazing semester! This class has been so helpful, not only on an academic level, but also on a personal level. I was able to apply so many of the concepts and strategies we learned to my own experiences as the President of an honor society at - - -! Everything was so interesting and I am so thankful I took this course! Thank you so much once again!”
Community College, MI
“Thank you so so much, that means more than you know and I have never had a professor respond this way. You are setting such a good example for students and how they should treat people in the way you teach and respond to us. No rush at all to get it all sorted, I just really appreciate you being so understanding and kind.”
Community College, MI
“This week, we’re applauding Professor Mark Bottita for his partnership with the Academic Success Coaches. “I have been working with Communications Professor Mark Bottita over the last couple days regarding a student in one of his classes who is on my Academic Success Coach caseload. The student is experiencing medical issues that are making attending class complicated,” Andrea Tarry wrote in the award. “Mark has been thoughtful, compassionate and caring in finding solutions to help the student complete the class without jeopardizing the integrity of the class, learning outcomes or the course curriculum! He has been communicative, open to ideas and suggestions, and flexible! Thank you, Mark!” (Applause! Awards)”
Community College, MI • 4/11/23
“Mark is terrific when he is relating the material to students to help us better understand what we are learning. My favorite professor by far. I wish they would hire more professors like him.”
Ivy Tech Community College of Indiana, South Bend
Instructor
Guiding students to success in the classroom, on the job, and in life for 24 years.
I will be your instructor and mentor this summer. I leverage an undergraduate degree in English & American Literature (University at Buffalo /State University of New York) to guide you in exploring creativity and its impact on learning and written expression, and a graduate degree in communication (University of Notre Dame) to help you bridge theory with practice in the workplace and in life by improving your communication and social interaction skills.
Current Academic Appointments
Houghton University, New York
Adjunct Professor of Communication
College of the Albemarle, Roanoke Island, NC
Adjunct Professor of Communication
Former Appointments
University of Notre Dame
Adjunct Faculty, Marketing
#1 Undergraduate Business Program in the United States for 2010, Bloomberg Businessweek
Indiana University South Bend
Visiting Professor of Communication
Purdue University Northwest
Adjunct Professor of Communication
Ivy Tech Community College of Indiana
Assistant Professor of Communication
Southwestern Michigan College
Adjunct Professor of Communication
Course curriculum in progress
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About this course