The HistoryMakers® Video Oral History Interview with Zerrie D. Campbell




Overview of the Item

Repository: The HistoryMakers
1900 S. Michigan Avenue
Chicago, Illinois 60616
(312) 674-1900
info@thehistorymakers.com
http://www.thehistorymakers.com
Interviewer: Adele Hodge
Videographer: Matthew Hickey
Title:Video Oral History Interview with Zerrie D. Campbell
Dates:April 11, 2003
Abstract: (ABSTRACT)
Quantity: 4 Betacam SP videocassettes, 1 half-Hollinger box containing (NUMBER) folders of accompanying materials.
Identification: A2003.074
Language: The interviews and records are in English

Biographical Note

Zerrie Campbell, the first woman to be president of Malcolm X College, was born in Chicago, Illinois, on February 9, 1951. After attending Chicago public schools, she went to Northern Illinois University, earning a B.A. in English in 1972 and an M.S. in secondary professional education in 1974. She later returned to Chicago State University to earn an M.A. in English in 1978.

Campbell began her career at Malcolm X, where she was the assistant dean of student support services from 1974 to 1977, and then went on to be an instructor of English and communications until 1982. In 1983, she was hired by Harold Washington College as an assistant professor of English, where she remained until 1987. Turning fully to administration that year, she became the associate vice chancellor for liberal arts and sciences at the City Colleges of Chicago. In 1989, Campbell returned to Malcolm X as vice president of academic affairs and by 1992 had risen to president of the school. Under her leadership, Malcolm X has received a number of awards for teaching and learning, including the 1997 Award for Excellence in Workforce Preparation from the Illinois Community College Board. Campbell has also negotiated with local businesses and organizations for increased funding for scholarships.

Campbell has also personally been the recipient of numerous awards, including the Outstanding Woman Award from Harold Washington College in 1999 and the 1998 Outstanding Educator Award from the 7th Congressional District, and is listed as one of 100 People 'N' The Know by N'Digo. She is a member of the National Association of Female Executives and numerous other professional and civic organizations, both local and national in scope.

Biographical Note by The HistoryMakers®


Scope and Contents

This life oral history interview with Zerrie D. Campbell was conducted by Adele Hodge on 2003-04-11 in Chicago, Illinois and is recorded on 4 30-minute Betacam SP videocassettes. Access copies exist on Betacam SP, VHS, DVD and MPEG-1. The interview contains information on (COMPLETE ONE SENTENCE DESCRIPTION OF INTERVIEW). Accompanying materials in the collection include Zerrie D. Campbell's correspondence with The HistoryMakers® related to the interview; a copy of the signed release form and the production report; the biographical information used by the interviewer to prepare for the interview (DETAILS); paper copies of the interview transcripts, 3 1/2" floppy disks with electronic copies of the transcripts; selected quotes for video clips; photocopies of photographs captured on video; XML files with metadata created in editing and cataloguing the interview for The HistoryMakers Digital Video Library; and paper copies of these XML files.


Restrictions

Restrictions on Access

Access to paper records is restricted. Other restrictions may be applied on a case-by-case basis.

Restrictions on Use

All use of materials must be pre-approved by The HistoryMakers® and appropriate credit must be given. All use credits must be pre-approved by The HistoryMakers®. Copyright is held by The HistoryMakers®.


Index Terms

This record series is indexed under the following controlled access terms.
Contributors:
Campbell, Zerrie D., 1951-
Hickey, Matthew
Hodge, Adele
Persons:
(PERSONS)
Corporate Bodies:
(CORPORATE BODIES)
Family Names:
Campbell
Places:
(PLACES)
Subjects:
(SUBJECTS)
Document Types:
Video oral history interview
Titles:
The HistoryMakers® Video Oral History Interview with Zerrie D. Campbell


Related Material

Accompanying materials: Accompanying materials are filed in (NUMBER) folders in a half-Hollinger box and shelved at The HistoryMakers® Archives and Collection Library by accession number, separately from the videos.


Administrative Information

Location of Originals

Betacam, VHS, DVD and MPEG-1 access copies are held for in-house use at The HistoryMakers®; Betacam SP, VHS and DVD playback hardware is provided for in-house viewing of the access copies; MPEG-1 copies are searchable and viewable via a digital video database.

Preferred Citation

The HistoryMakers® Video Oral History Interview with Zerrie D. Campbell, April 11, 2003. The HistoryMakers® African American Video Oral History Collection, 1900 S. Michigan Avenue Chicago, Illinois.


Detailed Description/Tape Listings

Video Oral History Interview with Zerrie D. Campbell, Tape 1, April 11, 2003, TRT: 00:30:49.

Zerrie D. Campbell talks about her parents' backgrounds and fondly recalls her grandmothers. Campbell discusses her family structure during her parents' marital separation, and shares memories of growing up in her household. Lastly, she remembers the various elementary schools she attended in Chicago as her parents successfully attempted to repair their marriage.



Video Oral History Interview with Zerrie D. Campbell, Tape 2, April 11, 2003, TRT: 00:29:34.

Zerrie D. Campbell remembers the many teachers that influenced her throughout her childhood. She also discusses her family's move to the Chatham neighborhood in Chicago. Campbell then discusses her experiences at Northern Illinois University in DeKalb, naming influential professors. She also talks about her pursuit of a graduate degree at Malcolm X College. Lastly, Campbell details her pending marriage and motherhood plans while juggling her career as an educator.



Video Oral History Interview with Zerrie D. Campbell, Tape 3, April 11, 2003, TRT: 00:30:18.

Zerrie D. Campbell details her career path as she moved from administrative positions into the classroom as a professor of English and shares her philosophy on education. Campbell explains the circumstances that led to her being named president of Malcolm X College. She discusses her achievements as president and comments on she changed the institution's image and perception in the public eye. Lastly, she explains how Malcolm X College's high quality of education differs greatly from public, four-year colleges.



Video Oral History Interview with Zerrie D. Campbell, Tape 4, April 11, 2003, TRT: 00:06:59.

Zerrie D. Campbell describes her involvement in professional educational affiliations and discusses the various community outreach programs at Malcolm X College.