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The Sandbox

The Sandbox, a weekly newsletter, is a benefit for paying Insider members designed to help higher ups in higher ed do their challenging jobs. It’s a place to play and create, share ideas, and allow leaders to say what they really think. We strive to provide a Saturday morning read that is both insightful and entertaining. And we rely on current and past leaders to write to and for us. Contact author Rachel Toor if you want to share feedback and jump into the conversation.

The Sandbox is sent each Saturday morning. Not receiving it? Email us at membership@insidehighered.com.

Sample Issues

Whimsical illustration of leaders in a sandbox

Welcome to The Sandbox

And now for something completely different: not just another boring newsletter to doom scroll.

An illustration of a business person being rained on.

The Sister Presidents are Suffering

"I don't know a single woman of color serving as a college or university president who has not received a credible threat of violence.Not one."

Image of masks

Just the Facts of a Presidency

You cannot make this stuff up. Seriously. You just can’t.

Image of taking off a mask

Presidents Get Real About Their Challenges and Fears

When Ambien doesn’t work, these are some of the thoughts that keep presidents sweating in their beds.

All Newsletters

Sandbox problem

Sandbox problem

The Sandbox Free Sample Issue

Words That Wound

May 18, 2024

How it feels to become an object of hate.

board table

board table

The Sandbox Free Sample Issue

Experts on Boards—Oh Boy!

May 11, 2024

Opening the black box of president–trustee relations—and how to make things nice.

Illustration of a leader wearing a novelty T-shirt that says "Some of my ideas are stupid" while a team works frantically behind him.

Illustration of a leader wearing a novelty T-shirt that says "Some of my ideas are stupid" while a team works frantically behind him.

The Sandbox Free Sample Issue

Narrow Views at the Paper of Record

May 4, 2024

Asked to write an opinion piece, I'm told my opinion is wrong

building Sandbox

building Sandbox

The Sandbox Membership Benefit Membership Benefit

If You Build It, They WIll Come

April 27, 2024

Teams: Getting a group to play nicely together.

Sandbox - travel

Sandbox - travel

The Sandbox Membership Benefit Membership Benefit

On the Road (or Up in the Air)

April 20, 2024

Presidential road warriors.

An Illustration of leaders shaking hands in a sandbox.

An Illustration of leaders shaking hands in a sandbox.

The Sandbox Membership Benefit Membership Benefit

Board Whisperers in The Sandbox (Live!)

April 13, 2024

A web event for IHE Insiders.

Sandbox - athletics final

Sandbox - athletics final

The Sandbox Membership Benefit Membership Benefit

Students? Athletes? Employees?

April 6, 2024

Games: so much fun to watch; such a mess to think about.

media spotlight

media spotlight

The Sandbox Free Sample Issue

Next Gen Leaders

March 30, 2024

Higher ed is still a caste system—in ways you may not think about.

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