The UNO Community Memory Project brings together members of the University of New Orleans community to reflect on the university’s early history—especially experiences of integration, civil rights, and institutional identity. It combines archival research with interviews and small-group conversations to better understand how that history is remembered today.

Adults (18+) with a connection to UNO—including students, staff, alumni, and community members—are welcome to participate. You do not need to be a historian or have specialized knowledge of the university’s history.

You can participate in a one-on-one paid interview, join an optional collaborative interpretation session, follow project updates, or leave a comment or reflection on the website. You may choose one, more than one, or none—participation is always voluntary.

Interviews are conversational, one-on-one discussions lasting about 60–90 minutes. They can take place in person or via secure video conferencing and are audio-recorded only with your consent. Interview participants receive a $50 gift cardas a thank-you.

These are optional small-group discussions (about 90 minutes) where participants reflect together on themes emerging from interviews and historical materials. These sessions are about shared interpretation. Light refreshments are provided.

Interviews and sessions are audio-recorded only with consent and stored securely. Because collaborative interpretation sessions take place in group settings, confidentiality cannot be fully guaranteed; participants are asked to respect one another’s privacy.

This project is independent academic research and does not represent official positions of the University of New Orleans.

The project contributes to a doctoral dissertation and may inform academic publications and public-facing history materials. Any public use of participant contributions will follow consent preferences regarding anonymity and attribution.

The project is led by Amanda Mester-Brown, a doctoral candidate in Justice Studies at the University of New Orleans, under the supervision of Dr. Mary Niall Mitchell, Director of the Midlo Center for New Orleans Studies.

For questions about the project or participation:

• Email: amester@uno.edu

• Phone: 310-923-0993

Questions about your rights as a research participant may be directed to the University of New Orleans Institutional Review Board.