Is It Worth It?: Critical Questions for Women Considering the Role of University President

Abstract

In the 2024 Broadway Musical “Suffs” chronicling the fight for women's suffrage, the lead character asks repeatedly throughout the show “Is It Worth It?” referring to the constant battles, roadblocks, and gaslighting that comes from trying to lead such a cause. This song is referring to a time over 100 years ago, yet it could be the modern-day anthem for women pursuing the university presidency. The landscape of higher education has transformed dramatically. Black Lives Matter, a fiercely divisive political climate, and the Israel/Palestine campus protests have all impacted the role of presidency. For women leaders, the challenges have been played out publicly in the media. This role, once seen as the pinnacle of a career, is now dictated by special interests and can now end quickly with a public shaming and defamation of character. The Presidency was once the goal for many aspiring university leaders but given the changing landscape, one has to wonder “Is it worth it?”