Listen to the article
In a significant development for higher education diversity initiatives, the Trump administration announced Thursday that 31 universities have severed ties with The PhD Project, a nonprofit organization that assists racial minorities in earning doctoral degrees.
The Education Department’s Office for Civil Rights launched an investigation into the organization in March 2025, asserting that The PhD Project “unlawfully limits eligibility based on the race of participants.” According to the administration, universities partnering with the organization were in violation of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which prohibits discrimination in federally funded education programs.
“This is the Trump effect in action: institutions of higher education are agreeing to cut ties with discriminatory organizations, recommitting themselves to abiding by federal law, and restoring equality of opportunity on campuses across the nation,” Education Secretary Linda McMahon stated.
Many universities quickly distanced themselves from The PhD Project after the investigation began, fearing potential loss of federal funding. The administration had previously warned educational institutions about the consequences of maintaining “race-based preferences” in their programs.
The PhD Project, which until recently operated without much public scrutiny, became a target of conservative strategists last year. The organization has defended its mission, stating: “The PhD Project was founded with the goal of providing more role models in the front of business classrooms and this remains our goal today.” According to their website, the organization has “helped more than 1,500 members earn their doctoral degree.”
The list of 31 institutions cutting ties includes prominent research universities such as Arizona State, Ohio State, and the University of Michigan, as well as elite private institutions including Yale, Duke, and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
MIT spokesperson Kimberly Allen explained that the university had previously paid “a nominal fee” to participate in The PhD Project’s university fairs and conferences, which allowed MIT representatives to engage with potential students. In April 2025, MIT informed the government it had ended this participation and later signed a “resolution agreement” with the department, though Allen emphasized the university “explicitly did not admit any liability, wrongdoing or violation of any law or regulation.”
The University of North Dakota took similar action, terminating its membership with The PhD Project within two weeks of the investigation’s announcement. David Dodds, a university spokesperson, clarified that their membership had been primarily to access the organization’s directory and database to “recruit a larger pool of qualified applicants for faculty positions.”
At the University of Utah, which had maintained a presence at annual conferences hosted by the nonprofit for several years, ties were cut in October following a settlement with the department. University spokesperson Rebecca Walsh noted the minimal impact of the partnership, stating that out of 170 PhD students admitted to Utah’s business school over the past 14 years, only two had connections to The PhD Project.
Beyond these immediate actions, the Education Department reported that all 31 universities have committed to reviewing their partnerships with other organizations “to identify any that violate Title VI by restricting participation based on race.”
This crackdown on The PhD Project represents part of a broader effort by the Trump administration to dismantle what it characterizes as diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives in educational institutions. The administration has consistently positioned itself against programs that it claims exclude white and Asian American students.
The investigation continues with 14 additional schools currently in negotiations with the department over their relationships with The PhD Project, signaling a potentially wider impact on diversity-focused educational partnerships across the country.
Fact Checker
Verify the accuracy of this article using The Disinformation Commission analysis and real-time sources.
18 Comments
This is a complex issue with valid concerns on both sides. I’m curious to see how universities navigate this challenge while upholding principles of equal opportunity and promoting diversity in their programs.
Agreed, it will be important for all parties to engage in open and constructive dialogue to find solutions that balance these important priorities.
From a mining and commodities perspective, a diverse pool of technical talent is essential for the industry’s future. I hope universities can find constructive ways to promote minority participation without running afoul of the law.
Good point. Maintaining a robust pipeline of qualified candidates, including underrepresented minorities, is crucial for the long-term health of the mining and resources industries.
This news highlights the ongoing tension between diversity efforts and concerns over potential discrimination. As an investor in education-related equities, I’ll be watching closely to see how this plays out.
Agreed, the regulatory environment around these issues can have significant implications for companies in the education sector. Prudent investors will need to closely monitor developments.
This news raises important questions about the balance between promoting diversity and ensuring compliance with federal regulations. I hope universities and policymakers can find constructive ways to address these challenges.
Agreed, it’s a nuanced issue that will require thoughtful dialogue and compromise to resolve in a way that upholds principles of equal opportunity and fosters a diverse, talented workforce.
As someone with a keen interest in the mining and commodities sector, I’m concerned about the potential impact of this decision on the industry’s ability to attract and retain a diverse pool of talent. Robust diversity initiatives are crucial for the long-term competitiveness and innovation of these industries.
That’s a valid point. Maintaining a diverse and inclusive workforce is essential for the mining and resources sectors to thrive in the long run. Finding the right balance between compliance and diversity will be key.
Interesting development on diversity initiatives in higher ed. I’m curious to learn more about the implications of this administration’s actions and how they may impact minority representation in academia.
This is a complex issue with valid concerns on both sides. It will be important to ensure that any changes uphold principles of equal opportunity while also promoting diversity.
As an investor in the energy and mining sectors, I’m concerned about the potential impact of this decision on the industry’s ability to attract a diverse workforce. Maintaining robust diversity initiatives is crucial for the long-term competitiveness of these industries.
That’s a good observation. The talent pipeline is a key consideration for investors in these capital-intensive sectors. Careful monitoring of how this issue evolves will be important.
This news highlights the ongoing tension between diversity efforts and legal/regulatory concerns. As an investor, I’ll be closely following how universities and policymakers navigate this challenge to ensure equal opportunity while also promoting minority participation in higher education.
Agreed, it’s a complex issue that requires nuanced policymaking and constructive dialogue between all stakeholders. Careful monitoring of the situation will be important for investors.
The administration’s stance on this nonprofit organization seems concerning. I hope universities can find ways to continue supporting minority scholars without running afoul of federal regulations.
You raise a good point. Maintaining diversity initiatives while complying with the law will require careful balance and dialogue between all stakeholders.