‘Hello, just circling back!’ Not responding to emails is common across higher education but bad for morale

No one likes sending an email and never receiving a response, but it's not uncommon. Lightcome/iStock/Getty Images Plus

As a challenging academic year drew to a close in May 2026, I sent an email to 12 administrators at the college where I teach, thanking them for their work during the year. Several years ago, when I served as part of the administration, I would have taken special note of such an email.

So, I was a bit taken aback when only a few of those to whom I sent it bothered to acknowledge it.