Colleges across the country are backing away from diversity-focused partnerships after pressure from Donald Trump’s administration over programs designed to support students of color.
The shift started after the U.S. Department of Education opened investigations last March into 45 universities tied to the PhD Project. The PhD Project, founded in 1994, works to increase the number of business school professors from underrepresented backgrounds. Since then, more than 100 schools have cut ties with the organization.
Thirty-one universities have now reached agreements with the Education Department to resolve those probes. As part of the settlements, schools agreed to review partnerships with organizations that “restrict participation based on race,” and either end those relationships or explain why they would continue them.
Education Secretary Linda McMahon framed the move as a reset.
“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,” McMahon said in a statement.
Some schools have already acted. The California State University system told federal officials that one campus plans to end its relationship with the Links Inc., a volunteer group historically composed of Black women. Clemson University said it ended its partnership with Field Inclusive because the nonprofit offered discounted memberships to people of color. The University of Kentucky flagged 1,200 memberships or partnerships for “cancellation or deeper review.”
Critics argue the moves could shrink pathways for students who have long felt isolated in higher education.
“It’s terrible,” said Wil Del Pilar of Education Trust.
“There is no evidence that students from other racial or ethnic backgrounds lose access or opportunity,” he said.
Meanwhile, supporters of the administration’s actions see it differently.
“Programs that target specific racial demographics are intended to exclude others,” said Nicole Neily, president of Defending Education.
The PhD Project said it has opened its conference to students of any race. Still, many college partnerships have already disappeared.
“We see paths forward where we can still make a significant impact in this country and the world,” said Alfonzo Alexander, the group’s president.
For now, universities remain in negotiations, and the future of many diversity-centered partnerships hangs in the balance.
