In fall 2019, the University of California, Santa Barbara Office of Public Affairs and Communications filmed interviews with a group of incoming students on what they were looking forward to and what their hopes and ambitions were, for college and beyond. Four years later, in spring 2023, the producers met with the same students to rewatch their interviews and to see how they--and the world around them--had changed. The students were interviewed on camera once more, answering questions that prompted them to reflect on their experiences and growth. The final product is a video that thoughtfully documents how the students matured as they entered adulthood and navigated worldwide events such as COVID-19 and the remote learning environment that came with it. The video also showed how their worldview changed through the diversity of their experiences and the people they met during four years of college. Illustrating the growth that takes place during this influential period, the project acknowledges that life can take unexpected turns and change can be surprising, emotional, humorous, and beautiful.
From the Judges
This was a standout video. This is a big school, and we noted the significant achievement in retaining these students across the four years. The growth of the featured students was evident, and video's candid approach was effective in inspiring young people, whether they are graduating or just starting out.
