The past academic year has not been a good one for college and university leaders. Leaders at all levels are responding to crises such as state-mandated changes to DEI policies, student and faculty protests of the enmeshment of institutional funds with the state of Israel and its military apparatus and the ongoing killing of Palestinians in Gaza, and financial worries stemming from changes in enrollment demographics. Not only are the issues to manage coming rapidly at leaders, but their responses are also undergoing deeper scrutiny from a broader swath of the public.
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
