144. Alfonzo Alexander, President & CEO of The PhD Project, on Representation in Academia, Compliance Challenges, and Expanding Programming

What happens when your mission to support underrepresented communities in academia suddenly comes under political scrutiny? And how can your association stay true to its values while navigating legal and societal change?In this episode of Associations Thrive, host Joanna Pineda interviews Alfonzo Alexander, President and CEO of The PhD Project. Alfonzo discusses:How The PhD Project recruits business professionals from diverse backgrounds to pursue PhDs and become business school faculty.The organization’s impact in increasing the number of underrepresented faculty from just 250 in 1994 to 1,600 today.Why the organization is still vital, as faculty of color make up less than 4% of all business school professors.The “mentor effect,” wherein representation among faculty encourages underrepresented students to pursue academic and business careers.The shift in application policies to remove demographic requirements in response to investigations under the Trump administration.The organization’s efforts to support members through mentorship, community-building, and guidance—not financial aid.Continued strength in the PhD pipeline and a highly attended 2025 conference, even amidst institutional pressures.New revenue diversification efforts, including partnerships, masterclasses, and showcasing thought leaders from within the PhD Project community.References:The PhD Project WebsiteAssociations Thrive episode 69 with Blane Ruschak, former President of The PhD Project