Dear Colleague, 

You’ve probably heard about David Foster Wallace’s oft-cited commencement speech, which tells the story of an older fish, swimming by two younger fish. The older fish asks, “How’s the water?” After he’s left, one of the younger fish looks at the other and asks, “What the h*ll is water?”

Wallace used this story to underscore a profound point: the most consequential realities can be the hardest to see and the most uncomfortable to discuss. 

At our colleges and universities, the “water” might include the reliance on familiar referral networks over recruiting from a diverse candidate pool, the institutional norms that disproportionately burden women and people of color with service tasks, and times where progress is blocked by “this is just how we’ve always done things.” 

Now, in 2026, shifting the water has become more difficult, in at least two ways:

Now in its fourth year, The Chronicle’s Women Leading Change Program brings together a community of women leaders in higher education to examine the water together: how we shift it, how we support those around us, and how we grow as leaders in challenging times. 

Learn more about the program and register soon to save your spot—space is limited. For groups of 5 or more, contact workshops@chronicle.com for information on our special group rate.

I look forward to working with you!

Warmly,

Melanie Ho

Higher Education Leadership and Strategy Consultant

Founder, Strategic Imagination

Author of Beyond Leaning In: Gender Equity and What Organizations are Up Against