I was more than once told that I was deficient, that my brain didn't work like that of others', that I would never graduate with my bachelor's, let alone a doctorate. Yet, my records indicate I was valedictorian of my high school class, graduated with honors with a bachelor's degree, and a perfect 4.0 GPA with honors in my master's program. Ironically, during my doctoral experience, the critics continued to speak, working against me. All I had was a dream to write, to teach, to inspire others to lead, to make a positive change in this world. For the last 6 years, the PhD project persevered to make sure that I never quit. They wrote me letters of encouragement, sent me mentors to guide me, called me to help me whenever I needed it, trained me in small group and individual mentoring sessions to learn the skills I needed, and they helped me financially when forces outside of my control challenged me. Yesterday, I became the first Hispanic American to graduate with their doctorate from my business school. I would not have stood on that stage without the PhD Project. The PhD Project was more than just my angel lighting some of my darker times, they were my inspiration. And today, I can tell you without a doubt - that I will fight tirelessly for the rest of my life to stand for others, for issues and causes with integrity, courage, humor, and grace in the same way the PhD Project has done tirelessly for me throughout the last 6 years. I cannot thank them enough. Dr. Mariana J. Lebron, Ph.D Management, 2013
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- EIN 20-2610773
- (201) 307-7662
- 3 Chestnut Ridge Rd Montvale NJ 07645 USA
- www.phdproject.org
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Nonprofit Overview
Causes: Civil Rights, Education, Minority Rights
Mission: The PhD Project's mission is to increase the diversity of corporate America by increasing the diversity of business school faculty. We attract African-Americans, Hispanic-Americans and Native Americans to business Ph.D. programs, and provide a network of peer support on their journey to becoming professors. As faculty, they serve as role models attracting and mentoring minority students while improving the preparation of all students for our diverse workplace and society.
Results: Since inception in 1994, the Project has quadrupled the number of African-American, Hispanic-American and Native American business school professors in the United States.
Programs: The PhD Project Doctoral Students Associations PhD Project Annual Conference