Great points below! I just want to offer my two cents as someone who stutters too: First of all, I don't think there's anything "unprofessional" or "wrong" with simply stuttering. It doesn't make us bad communicators. I know many people who stutter who are amazing communicators. Many of them work as lawyers, actors, HR professionals, etc. I myself work in journalism and PR. My stutter gets pretty severe on the phone - and ironically, I have to make a lot of phone calls for work - but it doesn't really get in the way. I just work through it. Mentioning your stuttering can also be a great idea so that they're clear about it. It also helps take the edge off and it gives the impression that you're honest, upfront and confident. I really like Hedgehogs4me's idea of saying it in the form of a joke. It can really help ease the tension and let them know you're not at all embarrassed about it. You simply want to let them know...hey, I stutter. It takes me a little longer to say things. But I can still get the job done. And in my opinion, it was a little unprofessional and ignorant of the department head to say that!