Ph.D. Project’s Mission Faces Scrutiny Amid Federal Investigation
Amid increasing challenges to diversity initiatives, a small but impactful nonprofit is under the microscope. The Ph.D. Project, which has been guiding underrepresented doctoral candidates in business for three decades, now finds itself at the center of a federal investigation.
The U.S. Department of Education has launched an investigation into 45 universities associated with the Ph.D. Project. These institutions, including the University of Kansas and Ivy League schools like Yale and Cornell, are scrutinized for alleged “race-exclusionary practices,” potentially violating the Civil Rights Act of 1964. The investigation raises questions about the future of diversity-focused programs in academia.
Established to mentor students from diverse backgrounds, the Ph.D. Project was instrumental for figures like Leyland Lucas, a dean at the University of Guyana. Lucas credits the organization with helping him complete his Ph.D. at Rutgers University, where he found few professors who shared his racial background. “I am incredibly grateful to the program, which was fulfilling a very critical role,” Lucas states.
The organization, facing scrutiny, has pivoted its mission to emphasize broader talent development without specific racial criteria. Alfonzo Alexander, president and CEO, emphasizes the shift, stating, “We’re really evolving so that we are able to do our work in today’s environment.”
The Impact of the Ph.D. Project
Over 1,500 students have benefited from the Ph.D. Project’s conferences and support networks. Alumni of the program have gone on to become university provosts, deans, and business leaders. Adrian Mayse, a participant who earned his Ph.D. from Jackson State University, attests, “The PhD Project has changed my life because I was able to interact with individuals who looked like me and understood the journey that we were embarking on.”
Despite these successes, the federal investigation and recent executive orders from the Trump administration have prompted some universities to reevaluate their partnerships. The University of Iowa and University of Kentucky have severed ties with the Ph.D. Project, following guidance to eliminate diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives.
Origins of the Investigation
The current investigation was reportedly prompted by tips submitted through the administration’s online portal designed to report perceived discrimination in educational institutions. Wil Del Pilar from Ed Trust remarks, “We’ve effectively created a tool where people can tell on people and report anything that they believe to be discrimination or DEI.”
Historically, federal investigations often stem from complaints, leading to changes in institutional policies. However, the current climate suggests a more aggressive stance, with potential funding cuts for non-compliant schools. This tension was evident at a recent Ph.D. Project conference, where members expressed concern about future collaborations with universities.
Alexander remains optimistic despite the challenges, saying, “We may have to do it a little bit differently than what we’ve done in the past. But we will make sure that we continue on a path to where we’re impacting people in a positive way.”
