Over 385 Minorities Considering New Careers as Business Professors to Attend Award-Winning PhD Project Conference

TAMPA, Fla., Nov. 19, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- As a founding supporter, AACSB International (AACSB) is pleased to commend The PhD Project for inviting over 385 minority business professionals (of the approximate 735 who applied) to attend its 21^st Annual PhD Project Conference, being held November 19-21, 2014 at the Hyatt Regency O'Hare, Chicago, IL.  Since 1994, AACSB has been a supporter of The PhD Project, which encourages minority business professionals to consider careers as business professors, as a way to attract and mentor a new generation of minority undergraduates within higher education.

As attendees, the selected candidates will hear about the benefits of pursuing a business PhD from esteemed deans, professors, and current minority doctoral students. Participants will also be exposed to more than 100 doctoral-granting universities represented via an exhibit fair, and will have the extensive opportunity to network with university reps, presenters, and attendees of all levels—providing prospective candidates with the tools and resources they need to be better prepared for the doctoral application/admission process.

When The PhD Project was created in 1994, there were only 294 doctorally-qualified African-American, Hispanic American or Native American business professors in all U.S. business schools. Now, as it celebrates its 20th Anniversary, there are 1,267 minority business professors. Further, over 320 minorities are currently enrolled in doctoral programs, and will take a place at the front of the classroom over the next few years.

The award-winning Project addresses one identified cause to the minority under-representation in corporate jobs: that historically, very few minority college students consider studying business as their foundation to a successful corporate career. As such, diversifying faculty within management education attracts more minorities to study business, and better prepares all students to function in a diverse workforce.

"Higher education is in need of minority role models and mentors as faculty," said John J. Fernandes, president and chief executive officer of AACSB International, and current chair of The PhD Project Board of Directors. "Since its inception, the PhD Project has been instrumental to the increase of diversity in doctoral education.  AACSB is pleased to support the Project, and its mission to provide a network of peer-to-peer and faculty support for minority students within management education."  

The PhD Project has succeeded in its mission thanks to its four founding organizations, KPMG Foundation, Graduate Management Admission Council, Citi Foundation, AACSB International, and the impressive list of leading corporations, foundations and associations that are funding it in an effort to systemically change the face of corporate America. They include over 285 participating universities, AICPA Foundation, DiversityInc, The Merck Company Foundation, Dixon Hughes Goodman LLP, Rockwell Collins, Wal-Mart Stores, Inc., American Marketing Association, John Deere Foundation, CIGNA, ADP, Edison International (on behalf of the California State University System), Lincoln Financial Group, Aerotek/TEKsystems (operating companies of Allegis Group), 3M, American Accounting Association, The Hershey Company, VMware  and Academy of Management.

For specific information on The PhD Project, visit: http://www.phdproject.org or contact Lisa King at 646-234-5080 or [email protected].

About AACSB International
AACSB International (The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business), founded in 1916, is an association of more than 1,450 educational institutions, businesses, and other organizations in 89 countries and territories. AACSB's mission is to advance quality management education worldwide through accreditation, thought leadership, and value-added services. As the premier accreditation body for institutions offering undergraduate, master's, and doctorate degrees in business and accounting, the association also conducts a wide array of conferences and seminar programs at locations throughout the world. AACSB's global headquarters is located in Tampa, Florida, USA, its Asia Pacific headquarters is located in Singapore, and its new Europe, Middle East and Africa headquarters will be located in Amsterdam, Netherlands in January 2014.

For more information, please visit www.aacsb.edu.

SOURCE AACSB International

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