Political Pressure Tests The PhD Project – But ‘The Mission Continues,’ CEO Says

The University of Michigan’s Ross School of Business has cut ties with the PhD Project, one of the most influential organizations working to expand the pipeline of future business school professors.

The move follows federal scrutiny of diversity initiatives across higher education and signals how quickly the political climate around such programs is reshaping long-standing partnerships between universities and nonprofit organizations.

Michigan agreed to end its relationship with the PhD Project as part of a resolution with the U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights, which had warned universities that certain diversity-focused programs could violate Title VI of the Civil Rights Act if participation criteria were interpreted as race-exclusive, according to reporting by Bridge Michigan. 

A CHANGING LEGAL & POLITICAL LANDSCAPE

The decision marks one of the most visible examples yet of how universities are reassessing their involvement with organizations tied to diversity pipelines. And it follows a difficult 2025 for the nonprofit.

For PhD Project CEO Alfonzo Alexander, the episode reflects a broader climate of uncertainty facing universities and nonprofits alike.

“What challenges us is still the level of uncertainty in the marketplace,” Alexander tells Poets&Quants in an interview Wednesday (March 4). “There is still a level of hesitance on the part of some institutions to fully embrace or work with us as maybe they had in the past.”

A PIPELINE PROGRAM FACES NEW UNCERTAINTY

Founded in 1994, the PhD Project was created to increase the number of scholars from historically underrepresented backgrounds earning doctorates in business disciplines and joining faculty ranks.

The organization connects prospective doctoral students with mentoring, networking, and professional development while introducing them to academic career paths. Over the past three decades, it has helped hundreds of participants earn PhDs and enter business school faculties.

But recent legal and political battles over diversity initiatives have created new pressures for universities deciding whether to continue partnerships tied to such programs.

The Trump administration’s Department of Education had previously issued a controversial “Dear Colleague” letter warning institutions about diversity programs that might violate civil rights law. Earlier this year, however, the federal government dropped its appeal in a legal challenge to that guidance, leaving a court ruling in place that limits federal enforcement efforts.

Even with that development, Alexander says universities remain cautious.

“With the changes that we made, plus with what happened in terms of the federal government dropping its appeal to the case that they lost, you would think that opens the doors for organizations to go back to working to create opportunities for all people,” he says.

Instead, he says, some institutions remain hesitant.

“In some cases universities already have their budgets set. In other cases universities still are a little bit hesitant because of the potential backlash they may receive.”

PUBLIC UNIVERSITIES FEEL THE MOST PRESSURE

Alexander says the hesitation is particularly visible among public universities, which often face more direct political oversight.

“There’s a clear line of demarcation between the public schools and the private schools,” he says. “But it’s not limited to public schools. Some private schools are showing hesitancy as well.”

The current moment comes during a period of strategic change for the PhD Project itself.

Last year the organization launched the Vanguard Society, an individual-giving initiative designed to strengthen its financial base and reduce reliance on institutional sponsorship.

So far, more than 50 donors have joined the effort, generating roughly $150,000 in new revenue, Alexander says.

“That’s all net new revenue for us,” he says. “But an individual giving program like that takes time because we’re asking for larger amounts than we typically have in the past.”

The nonprofit plans another round of outreach promoting the initiative this spring.

EXPANDING PROGRAMS FOR THE COMMUNITY

Beyond fundraising, Alexander says the PhD Project is expanding its programming in ways that could reshape how it serves doctoral students and faculty.

Some new initiatives involve partnerships with alumni of the program who now teach at business schools. Those collaborations could lead to training programs, consulting opportunities, and professional development offerings aimed at the broader academic and business communities.

“We are partnering with our faculty alumni and creating opportunities to put in place training programs and consulting opportunities,” Alexander says.

The organization is also leaning further into a membership model, building more programming for participants throughout their academic careers.

“In one aspect we’ll look very much like a membership-based organization – similar to professional associations that exist in other professions,” he says.

At the same time, Alexander stresses that the nonprofit remains committed to expanding access to academic careers.

“We’re still adamant about reaching out into communities to make sure people have the exposure they need to consider careers in academia.”

‘THE MISSION CONTINUES’

For doctoral students and faculty watching the political and legal debate around diversity programs unfold, Alexander says the organization’s message is straightforward.

“The mission continues,” he says.

He describes the PhD Project’s work as a three-stage pipeline: recruiting talented individuals into doctoral programs, supporting them while they earn their PhDs, and helping them build successful careers once they enter academia.

“We can help you get into academia,” Alexander says. “We can support you as you’re going through programs to become a PhD. And once you become a PhD, we have programs that help you achieve your overall career goals in academia.”

Those programs – along with the organization’s annual conference – remain central to its community.

This year’s conference will take place in Chicago during the third week of March, bringing together scholars, faculty members, and partners from across business education.

For Alexander, the moment may be turbulent, but the organization’s direction remains steady.

“We’ve added additional ways to serve the community better,” he says. “And we’re continuing to expand that community as well.”

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