The Trump administration has begun scrutinizing the
PhD Project, an initiative designed to increase the number of underrepresented minorities pursuing business doctorates. This move marks a significant shift in federal oversight of diversity programs in higher education.
The PhD Project, established in 1994, works to direct Black, Hispanic, and Native American students toward doctoral programs in business fields. The program has been credited with helping to diversify business school faculties across the United States by creating a pipeline of qualified minority candidates with terminal degrees.
Federal Scrutiny Raises Concerns
Administration officials have not publicly detailed their specific concerns with the program, but the review comes amid broader efforts to examine
diversity initiatives in education and corporate America. Education policy experts suggest this scrutiny aligns with the administration’s previous challenges to affirmative action and race-conscious admissions policies.
The PhD Project operates through mentorship, networking, and support systems that help minority students navigate the often-challenging path to earning a business doctorate. Since its inception, the program has contributed to a significant increase in the number of minority business professors at American universities.
Representatives from several business schools have expressed concern about the potential impact of federal intervention on their diversity efforts. Many point to data showing that diverse faculty members help attract diverse student bodies, which in turn creates more inclusive business leadership pipelines.
Impact on Business Education Diversity
The PhD Project reports that it has helped increase the number of minority business professors from fewer than 300 in 1994 to more than 1,500 today. These professors serve as role models and mentors for minority business students, creating what supporters call a “multiplier effect” in diversifying the business world.
Critics of the administration’s move argue that programs like the PhD Project address historical imbalances in academic representation without using quotas or preferential selection methods that have been legally challenged in other contexts.
“These programs provide support and information to qualified candidates who might otherwise not consider academic careers,” said a business school dean who requested anonymity due to the sensitive nature of the issue. “They don’t lower standards—they expand the pool of excellent candidates.”
Broader Implications for Diversity Programs
The administration’s focus on the PhD Project may signal wider examination of other diversity initiatives in higher education and corporate settings. Legal experts note that the review comes at a time when the legal landscape around diversity programs is already in flux following recent Supreme Court decisions.
Several business organizations have defended the PhD Project, citing research showing diverse leadership teams make better decisions and drive stronger financial performance. Corporate partners who support the program through funding and mentorship opportunities have largely remained committed to its mission despite the federal scrutiny.
The PhD Project was founded by the KPMG Foundation, The Graduate Management Admission Council, and several other sponsors with the goal of addressing the severe underrepresentation of minorities in business school faculties. Its approach focuses on awareness, encouragement, and support rather than quotas or preferential treatment.
As this situation develops, universities and business schools are watching closely to determine how they might need to adapt their diversity initiatives while continuing to pursue more representative faculties and student bodies.
