The Role of Followers in Higher Education During a Pandemic: The HBCU Experience

Student Engagement in Community Building and Support During the Pandemic

The COVID-19 pandemic detoured any aspect of life as usual. Faculty members were hearing from students about how they were experiencing the economic impact, social unrest in the nation, and health related issues in their lives. However, as the virtual learning environment extended month by month, the follower/leader or student/faculty roles began to change in the classes. There were times when student fears were shared unexpectedly, leaving faculty members to meagerly address situations. What became apparent was how students began to engage in virtual community building, no longer as followers in the classroom but rather, as leaders. In these roles, they were able to provide resources and current information to their peers and professors based on their jobs as first responders in various industries. While there were many instances of the shifting nature of the follower/leader dynamic, the following story is an example of how community building among followers contributing to a life changing event.