ASU alumni and those involved with the nonprofit The PhD Project reflected on the impact it's had on their careers after the University ceased its partnership with the organization on Feb. 19.
ASU was among 31 universities that cut ties with The PhD Project – a nonprofit focused on increasing diversity among business professionals and school faculty – following federal pressure and an investigation by the U.S. Department of Education.
The Department of Education's Office for Civil Rights announced that universities agreed to end partnerships with the organization, alleging that it "unlawfully limits eligibility based on the race of participants" in violation of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.
The ceased partnership followed investigations into 45 universities and requires schools to review their other partnerships to ensure they comply with federal anti-discrimination laws.
For individuals who participated in The PhD Project, the decision reflects broader concerns about access to academic pathways.
Thomas Lopez, who earned his Ph.D. from ASU, has been involved with The PhD Project since its founding in 1994. He said the program played a major role in shaping his career.
"My career would have been very different without my affiliation with the project," Lopez said.
Lopez also said the program is misunderstood by many, emphasizing that the program is meant to provide access to information rather than preferential treatment.
"It was meant to inform, not to give an advantage to a Black candidate or to a Hispanic candidate or to a Native American candidate," Lopez said.
In a written statement, The PhD Project said it remains focused on its mission to develop "business school faculty who inspire, mentor, and support tomorrow's leaders."
"Our vision is to create a broader talent pipeline of current and future business leaders who are committed to excellence and to each other," the organization said in a written statement.
Craig Sisneros, a first-generation college graduate, ASU alumnus and a planning committee member for The PhD Project, said the program helps introduce prospective students to a path they may not have considered otherwise.
"If it wasn't for The PhD Project, I wouldn't be in the position that I'm in today, because that support network was absolutely amazing," Sisneros said. "I owe the project for where I am today because I probably would have dropped out within the first couple years."
Sisneros said the decision to cut ties with The PhD Project reflects a shift in institutional support.
"You were supportive when it was easy," he said. "Now it got a little bit hard, and you walked away. I think that's a big miss by the universities that have cut ties."
ASU said its involvement with the organization was limited to advertising academic programs and job opportunities.
"ASU's business school paid to advertise its jobs and academic programs in the PhD Project, in addition to other outlets, to reach a broad audience," a University spokesperson said. "Those jobs and programs are open to all regardless of race, color, national origin or ethnicity."
READ MORE: ASU community and state senators respond to DEI actions taken state and nationwide
While the University said it "holds a different view" of the Department of Education's findings in regards to the use of the project to advertise said opportunities, it complied with the request to review partnerships. It confirmed that none currently restrict participation based on race.
READ MORE: The DEI debate: Campus inclusion or a step too far?
Barriers created by the current administration and anti-diversity, equity and inclusion efforts have made the organization's work more challenging, but its leaders remain committed to continuing its mission, Sisneros said.
Sisneros also said that the organization is now adapting by restructuring conferences, containing costs and increasing fundraising efforts to make up for lost support.
Both Lopez and Sisneros, who've worked with the program and built careers in academia, said cutting ties could have long-term effects.
"I think it hurts universities, I think it hurts students," Lopez said.
Lopez added that programs like this help narrow the gaps between students and faculty, particularly those from underrepresented backgrounds. He also said it helps create spaces where students feel comfortable seeking guidance and mentorship.
Sisneros said that the loss of programs such as The PhD Project could impact minority students' experiences in academic spaces.
"Students like (me) not having somebody in front of the classroom that they could really relate to," Sisneros said. "That's the change The PhD Project was trying to make, (which) is having people in front of the classroom to bring those students into the classroom — to bring those students into the workforce."
Edited by Henry Smardo, Jack McCarthy, Emilio Alvarado and Pippa Fung.
Reach the reporters at mmart533@asu.edu.
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MJ Martinez is a senior reporter at The State Press. She has worked for the paper for 3 semesters, working previously as a SciTech Reporter.
