Oral Histories

Video recording and transcript of an oral history conducted via Zoom by archivist Julia Greider on June 17, 2021, with Andrew English. This interview was recorded shortly after Mr. English retired from his position as a full-time professor in the the English as a Second Language (ESL) department. Professor English discusses the history of the ESL department at Roxbury Community College since 1990, the changing demographics of RCC, and his experience as ESL department head. He also briefly describes the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on his classes and approach to teaching.

Audio recording and transcript of an oral history conducted via Zoom by archivist Julia Greider on August 12, 2020, with Jennie Thrash. This interview was recorded soon after Ms. Thrash retired from her full-time position as an academic advisor. She discusses her work over a 19-year career at RCC as internship coordinator, dual enrollment coordinator, articulation agreement coordinator, academic advisor, and adjunct faculty for the College Experience (ACS) course. She also reflects on changes that she's seen over the course of her time at RCC, as well as the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on students and on her work as an advisor and a College Experience instructor.

A video oral history and transcript conducted by archives intern Emily Murphy with English professor Kamila Kehoe via Zoom on March 29, 2021, concerning the Covid-19 pandemic. Professor Kehoe discusses the impact of the pandemic on her classes and students, specifically with regards to accessibility issues and online teaching strategies. She expresses concern for post-pandemic PTSD-related effects on society and describes her personal experiences with the pandemic over the course of the last year. She also touches on the Black Lives Matter protests, their relationship to the pandemic, and American education.

Materials relating to an oral history conducted by archives intern Melissa Jones with history professor Kevin Aylmer via Zoom on July 21, 2020, concerning the COVID-19 pandemic. Professor Aylmer discusses the impact of the pandemic on his classes, his students, and society. He also ponders the broader historical and political implications of the pandemic.

Materials relating to an oral history conducted by archivist Julia Greider with Nathan Simms, Director for Community and Governmental Affairs, on June 25, 2020. In this interview, Mr. Simms discusses the impact of COVID-19 on his personal and professional life. He also describes his reaction to the murder of George Floyd at the hands of police and his participation in the resulting protests, part of the Black Lives Matter movement. Additionally, he discusses the Black Men Speak event held at RCC in response to continuing police brutality towards African Americans.