I recently found myself in a large meeting with a room full of leaders in higher education: college presidencies, deans, and other managers and leaders from public colleges. There was the normal discussion of policies and data. People sat sipping from water bottles and coffee cups or answering emails on their phones or laptops. Maybe this scene will seem familiar to some of you. I’ve been in countless meetings like this one, but something about this particular meeting stuck with me.
Not Just a No-Show: Understanding Faculty Absence at Graduation
Each spring, university campuses are spruced up: Lawns are mowed and stages assembled, and rows of chairs fill the arena. Graduation is a time-honored tradition, celebrating students’ hard work and
Heidi Hillman
July 21, 2025
