University Partnerships with The PhD Project: Trump Administration's Diversity Program Investigation
The Trump administration has been actively working to end diversity programs in higher education, leading to the severing of ties between many universities and The PhD Project, a nonprofit organization that supports racial minorities in earning doctorate degrees. The administration claims that these diversity programs exclude white and Asian American students, prompting an investigation by the U.S. Department of Education.
As a result of the investigation initiated in March 2025, 31 universities have agreed to terminate their partnerships with The PhD Project, with negotiations ongoing with 14 additional schools. The Department of Education stated that the organization unlawfully limits eligibility based on race, violating Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which prohibits discrimination based on race, color, or national origin in federally funded education programs.
Education Secretary Linda McMahon praised the universities for cutting ties with what the administration deems discriminatory organizations, emphasizing the importance of abiding by federal law and promoting equality of opportunity on campuses nationwide. Many schools swiftly ended their relationships with The PhD Project to avoid potential repercussions from the administration's scrutiny.
The PhD Project, aimed at increasing the number of minority role models in business classrooms, has helped over 1,500 members earn doctoral degrees. The universities that agreed to sever ties with the organization include prominent public research institutions like Arizona State and private schools such as Yale and MIT. MIT, for example, had participated in The PhD Project's university fairs and conferences by paying a nominal fee to send representatives.
In response to the investigation, universities like the University of North Dakota and the University of Utah promptly ended their memberships with The PhD Project. They cited reasons such as accessing a larger pool of qualified applicants for faculty positions and participating in the organization's conferences. The Education Department has required all 31 universities to review partnerships with other organizations to ensure compliance with Title VI.
The Trump administration's efforts to address what it perceives as discriminatory practices in diversity programs have led to significant changes in university partnerships with organizations like The PhD Project. The impact of these actions on diversity and inclusion initiatives in higher education remains a topic of ongoing debate and scrutiny.