Navigating the Unprecedented: Student Reflections on 2020 and 2021

Navigating the Unprecedented: Student Reflections on 2020 and 2021 is a collection of interviews created by students as part of the Fall 2020 and Spring 2021 LBST 2301 courses taught by Professor Thomas "Joe" Howarth within the Honors College at UNC Charlotte. The project asked students to serve as oral history interviewers and narrators, relating their experiences of this unprecedented time in their own words. In the interviews students reflected on their, their family's, their communities, and UNC Charlotte's response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Students tell stories of strength, struggle, and societal upheaval as the pandemic changed their lives and as it brought to light the realities of racial inequality and injustice.

Serena Bemmo Kamdem oral history interview, 2021 April 27
UNC Charlotte student Serena Bemmo Kamdem discusses her experiences in 2020, with reference to COVID-19, political events, and racial injustice. [All times approximate]. [00:04] Introductions. [00:53] Start of COVID-19 related questions. [01:39] Hearing about COVID for the first time. [02:25] Changes due to COVID-19. [06:07] Importance of precautionary measures. [07:20] Views on the COVID-19 vaccine. [09:09] UNC Charlotte's response to the virus. [12:04] Biggest learning from COVID-19. [13:24] Transition to social and political event topics. [13:28] Riot at the Capitol. [14:38] The murder of George Floyd. [16:42] 2020 Presidential election. [18:58] Potential future normalcy. [24:39] Closing statements.
Jordan Bowman oral history interview, 2021 April 6
UNC Charlotte student Jordan Bowman shares experiences during 2020 in regards to the COVID-19 pandemic, racial injustices and Black Lives Matter (BLM) protests, online learning, and more. [All times approximate]. [00:04] Introductions. [02:50] Covid-19 related questions start. [03:11] Things to know and do differently at the start of the pandemic. [05:10] COVID-19's impact on education and normalcy in school. [07:34] Thoughts about former United States President Donald Trump's actions regarding the pandemic. [08:40] 2020 United States presidential election related questions start. [08:53] Feelings about the results of the 2020 election. [11:12] Social justice related questions start. [11:40] Performance activism. [14:16] Issues that Black, Indigenous and people of color (BIPOC) face in America. [17:00] White privilege. [17:25] BLM and police violence protests. [19:57] Conclusion of oral history.
Brooke Buonocore oral history interview , 2021 April 6
UNC Charlotte student Brooke Buonocore discusses her experiences after the beginning of 2020 with reference to the COVID-19 pandemic, protests against police brutality, the 2021 Capitol insurrection, the 2020 presidential election, and other topics. [All times approximate]. [00:05] Introductions. [02:00] COVID-19 and its effects on her life. [04:15] How COVID-19 has affected the world. [09:35] Protests against police brutality. [14:40] United States Capitol Insurrection. [16:55] 2020 Presidential election. [18:35] Division amongst communities in the United States. [20:12] Interviewee's mental health during the pandemic. [24:03] Conclusion.
Kaitlyn Collins oral history interview, 2020 November 18
Kaitlyn Collins discusses her experiences in 2020 as a sophomore enrolled at UNC Charlotte. Topics covered include the COVID-19 pandemic, racial injustices, the 2020 election, and her personal experiences with each topic.
Bianka Escobedo-Cortes oral history interview 2021 April 6
UNC Charlotte student Bianka Escobedo Cortes discusses her experiences during 2020 with reference to COVID-19, racial injustices, remote learning, and other topics. [All times approximate]. [00:00] Introductions. [01:10] Looking back on 2020. [03:45] Beginning of online learning in Spring 2020 and reflection on online learning in 2020-2021. [07:50] Impact of virtual learning on interviewee's choice of academic major. [10:15] Interviewee's perception of virus over time. [13:00] April 2020 protests for reopening schools. [15:27] Fall 2021 reopening of schools. [18:30] Plans for next semester. [20:00] Racial equality protests. [23:15] Racial inequalities in America. [28:00] Those who stayed silent about racial inequality. [31:00] 2020 Presidential election. [35:20] Insurrection at the United States Capitol building. [42:40] Good moments from 2020.
Bryson Foster oral history interview, 2021 April 14
UNC Charlotte student Bryson Foster discusses his experiences during 2020 with reference to COVID-19, racial protests and the Capitol insurrection. [All times approximate] [0:04] Introductions. [3:40] Finding out about Coronavirus and effect on family. [6:43] Transition to online classes as well adjusting to social distancing. [16:06] Mental Health. [21:07] Violent racial protests and the fight for racial equality. [22:13] Perspectives and coping with racial divides. [27:15] Capital insurrection reactions. [35:13] Conclusion.
Fotuchang, Nicole oral history interview, 2020 December 13
UNC Charlotte student Nicole Fotuchang discusses her experiences during 2020 with reference to COVID-19, racial injustices, remote learning, and other topics. Specific personal stories include her relation to the Black Lives Matter movement and protests during the summer of 2020, mental health and social media discussions, the change to remote learning as the novel Coronavirus spread in the spring semester of 2020, personal relationships, and keeping up with loved ones during the pandemic.
William Fullerton oral history interview 2021 April 6
UNC Charlotte student William Fullerton discusses his experiences in 2020 with reference to the COVID-19 pandemic, protests against police brutality, Capitol insurrection, the Presidential election, and other topics. [All times approximate]. [00:04] Introductions. [03:25] COVID-19, and its effects on society and the interviewee's personal life. [09:00] Protests against police brutality. [11:56] Capitol insurrection and the 2020 Presidential election. [15:05] Concluding remarks.
Yuliana Ganan oral history interview 2021 April 1
UNC Charlotte student Yuliana Ganan discusses her experiences during 2020 with reference to the COVID-19 pandemic, protests against police brutality, the Capitol insurrection, Presidential election, and other topics. [All times approximate]. [00:45] Introductions. [04:00] COVID-19, and its effects on society and the interviewee's personal life. [13:45] Protests against police brutality. [19:45] Capitol insurrection, and the 2020 Presidential election. [25:00] Concluding questions.
Briana Gray oral history interview, 2021 April 27
UNC Charlotte student Briana Gray delves into her experiences with the tumultuous events of 2020 in regard to the COVID-19 pandemic. [All times are approximate]. [00:10] Introductions. [00:35] Lessons we should learn from the pandemic. [01:10] COVID-19 vaccine. [01:38] Changes in the interviewee as a result of the pandemic. [02:30] Thoughts on the anti-mask movement. [03:30] Effect of COVID-19 on academics. [04:26] Interviewee's initial reaction to COVID-19. [05:00] Changes in interviewee's views on COVID-19. [05:53] Community response to COVID-19. [07:39] Effect of COVID-19 on connection with friends. [08:15] Experiences with quarantine. [09:03] Riot at the Capitol. [10:23] Return to normalcy.
Samantha Gregory oral history interview 2021 May 4
UNC Charlotte student Samantha Gregory discusses her personal experiences with the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as her views on the major political and social justice events of 2020 and 2021. [All times approximate]. [00:04] Introductions. [01:00] First experiences with COVID-19. [02:42] Prior knowledge of COVID-19. [04:55] Understanding the seriousness of COVID-19. [06:21] Changing perspective on COVID-19. [07:56] Personal experiences with quarantine/isolation/positive COVID-19 test. [09:10] Experiences in residence halls. [11:42] COVID-19 protocol defiance. [13:26] Experiences working in nursing home during the pandemic. [16:22] Sentiments on COVID-19 vaccine. [18:44] Positive impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. [19:55] Experiences with family and friends. [21:25] Mental health experiences during 2020-2021. [22:49] Biggest takeaways from the pandemic. [24:17] Initial awareness of the death of George Floyd. [27:35] Impacts of the trial of Derek Chauvin. [28:51] Next steps in police accountability. [33:17] Hopes for the future. [34:33] First awareness of the January 6 mob at the U.S. Capitol. [38:23] Loss of trust in government institutions. [40:18] Reflections on the second impeachment of President Trump. [42:50] Anticipation of future changes. [44:24] Final hopes. [45:44] Closing.
Kiana Jean oral history interview 2021 April 6
UNC Charlotte Student Kiana Jean talks about her experiences in 2020; dealing with COVID-19, the 2020 presidential election, remote learning, and racial injustice. [All times approximate]. [00:03] Introductions. [03:00] The start of COVID-19 and changes in the interviewee's life. [07:35] Experience with online learning vs in-person classes. [09:50] School life at UNC Charlotte during the pandemic. [11:35] Mental Health during school and the pandemic. [13:15] Mental Health resources on campus. [14:35] The 2020 presidential election and society's reactions. [18:30] Division amongst the citizens of the United States. [21:10] Racial Injustice and the killing of George Floyd [26:10] Social media's influence on the world in 2020. [28:25] The interviewee's thoughts about the future of the United States.
Johnson, Kylie oral history interview, 2020 November 23
UNC Charlotte student Kylie Johnson discusses her experience in 2020 amidst the Covid-19 pandemic, as well as in the setting of racial injustices across the nation, mainly focused in Charlotte and Mooresville, North Carolina. Topics discussed include her experience transitioning from in-person to online classes, her experience being quarantined for the Coronavirus, her band and her family's experiences during the pandemic, and how the pandemic has impacted her life in 2020 and going forward into 2021.
Makayla Johnson oral history interview 2021 April 06
UNC Charlotte student Makayla Johnson discusses her experiences in the years 2020 and 2021 with reference to the COVID-19 pandemic, racial protests, the Capitol insurrection, and other topics. [ All times are approximate]. [0:06] Introductions. [2:58] Initial reaction to COVID-19. [4:15] Status of classes during the pandemic. [5:52] Positive aspects of online learning. [7:25] Maintaining motivation. [8:34] Changes in interviewee's views on the education system. [9:22] Impact on mental health. [10:18] Changes in the misconceptions of mental health. [12:50] Racial equality protests in Charlotte. [14:26] Interviewee's contribution to racial equality protests. [15:59] Interviewee's initial reaction to Capitol insurrection. [17:50] Further reflection on Capitol insurrection. [20:37] Importance of protests.
Rachel Magallon oral history interview, 2020 November 22
Rachel Elizabeth Magallon discusses her past experiences during the year 2020 as a freshman and sophomore student at UNC Charlotte in Charlotte. Topics include the COVID-19 pandemic, protests for racial justice, and 2020 election. She recalls how these events affected her early years of college, and she explains how these events impacted her personal relationships and mental health.
Jacinto Martinez Rodriguez oral history interview, 2021 April 28
UNC Charlotte student Jacinto Martinez Rodriguez discusses his experiences during 2020 with reference to COVID-19, racial protests, and the Capitol insurrection. [All times approximate]. [00:04] Introductions. [03:21] Hearing about Coronavirus in the news. [05:21] Transition to online classes and adjusting to social distancing. [10:25] Mental health and COVID-19. [20:05] Reaction to racial divides. [27:05] Capitol insurrection reactions. [29:57] Conclusion. [30:26] End of Interview.
Jacob Matson oral history interview, 2000 December 5
UNC Charlotte student Jacob Matson discusses his experience in 2020, during the Coronavirus pandemic and a time of social and racial injustice across America, with a focus on Charlotte and Matthews, North Carolina. Topics discussed include his experience taking classes online, UNC-Charlotte's response to the pandemic, working for an accounting firm during the pandemic, police brutality, social justice, and remaining in contact with friends and family.
Neil, Sarah oral history interview, 2020 November 23
UNC Charlotte student Sarah Neil discusses her experience in 2020, amidst the Covid-19 pandemic, as well as in the setting of racial injustices across the nation, and from the perspective of Charlotte and Belmont, North Carolina. Topics discussed include her experience transitioning from in-person classes to online classes, living on the UNCC campus during the pandemic, working in Belmont during the pandemic, thoughts on racial injustice as a criminal justice major, and the impact of Covid-19 on her personal relationships.
Aditya Raju oral history interview, 2021 April 20
UNC Charlotte student Aditya Raju discusses his personal experiences with the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as his views on the major political and social justice events of 2020 and 2021. [All times approximate]. [0.10] Introductions. [1.22] Reflecting on 2020. [2.53] University life during the pandemic. [5.04] Virtual learning. [8.01] Personal opinion on COVID-19. [9.49] Return to normalcy. [13.18] Summer protests for racial equality. [16.05] What incited the protests. [17.17] 2020 Presidential election and Capitol insurrection. [22.44] Highlights of 2020. [23:30] Conclusion.
Brandon Rivera oral history interview, 2021 April 6
UNC Charlotte student Brandon Rivera reviews his experiences with the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 and discusses how the pandemic continues to affect his life. [All time notations are approximate]. [00:20] Introductions. [01:30] Thoughts on COVID-19. [04:31] Mental health over the course of COVID-19. [09:10] COVID-19 effects on job status. [12:35] Different states' response to COVID-19. [14:40] Federal Government's response to COVID-19. [17:37] Comments on current political climate. [19:33] Effect of social unrest on the 2020 Presidential election. [23:28] Opinions on media coverage. [25:28] Biases within news outlets. [27:40] Conclusion.
Kelsey Romney oral history interview, 2020 November 18
UNC Charlotte Education major Kelsey Romney discusses her experiences regarding events that occurred during 2020 from her perspective as a citizen and as a student. Topics discussed include her thoughts about starting a new decade, the COVID-19 pandemic, her education, the racial justice protests that erupted during 2020, recent environmental disasters, and the 2020 election. She specifically shares how those events impacted her personally as well as her family and community.
Mariah Roseboro oral history interview, 2021 April 06
UNC Charlotte student Mariah Roseboro discusses her experiences during 2020 with reference to the COVID-19 pandemic, protests against police brutality, the Capitol insurrection, Presidential election, and other topics. [All times approximate] [00:04] Introductions [02:03] COVID-19 and its effects on personal life and society [08:55] Protests against police brutality [13:38] Capital insurrection/2020 Presidential election. [17:00] Conclusion.
Mahita Sadula oral history interview, 2020 December 6
UNC Charlotte student Mahita Sadula reflects on her experiences in the year 2020. During the interview, she speaks about the COVID-19 pandemic, the fight for racial justice, the 2020 presidential election, and how these events have transformed her college experience during her first two years at UNC Charlotte. She recalls her initial feelings and the affect these events had on her mental health. She also speaks about the impact that the COVID-19 pandemic and the fight for racial justice had on her personal relationships.
Simmons, Alex oral history interview, 2020 November 17
Rising junior Alexandra (Alex) Simmons reflects on her experiences throughout 2020 as a student at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte amidst an unprecedented global pandemic. She discusses her thoughts on the new decade, her reaction to and experiences with COVID-19, her thoughts on racism, social relations, and the environment, her experience as a first-time voter, and her perspective on the United States government and the increasingly bipartisan political atmosphere.
Owen Sizemore oral history interview, 2021 April 29
UNC Charlotte student Owen Sizemore reviews his experience with the COVID-19 pandemic and discusses the COVID-19 vaccine, recent protests and hate crimes, and other political topics. [All times approximate]. [00:05] Introductions. [00:47] First time hearing about Coronavirus. [02:05] Past versus current views of COVID-19. [05:30] Opinions on Coronavirus vaccine. [07:19] COVID-19 infections in interviewee's family. [09:10] Views on anti-maskers. [11:30] Positive outcomes of pandemic. [13:52] Effect of pandemic on mental health. [16:10] Effect of pandemic on academics. [17:34] Response of United States and UNCC to COVID-19 pandemic. [20:58] Employment status during Covid-19. [23:41] Biggest takeaway from pandemic. [25:58] Thoughts on social and racial justice protests. [29:32] Impact of protests. [31:36] Outcome of Derek Chauvin trial. [34:07] Future normalcy in America. [36:25] Initial reaction to Capitol insurrection. [38:15] Second impeachment of Donald Trump. [39:50] Thoughts on the future of America. [41:20] Voting in the 2020 presidential election. [43:20] Changes as a result of the new presidency. [46:07] Ways the pandemic could have been handled better.
Donna Thompson oral history interview, 2020 November 2
UNC Charlotte student Donna Thompson shares her experiences of 2020. During this interview, Thompson discusses how the COVID-19 pandemic, fight for racial justice and presidential election have affected her personally. She recounts personal experiences and emotions that these events created for her as well as how they have allowed her to evolve.
Emma Wakeman oral history interview, 2021 April 13
UNC Charlotte student Emma Wakeman discusses her experiences during 2020 with reference to COVID-19, remote learning, being on the Women's Soccer Team, and other topics. [All times approximate]. [00:17] Introductions. [03:04] Hearing about Covid-19 and going on break during high school. [07:37] Living with family during the pandemic. [09:52] Missing senior year of soccer and experience on the soccer team now. [17:04] Knowing people who contracted Covid, and getting vaccinated. [18:30] Voting in 2020, highlights of last year, and hopes for the future year.