The PhD Project

08/28/2026

With the conclusion of our 2026 Impact Summit series, we're reflecting on the connections, achievements, and moments that remind us why The PhD Project community is so powerful.

What is the greatest impact The PhD Project has had on your academic journey? Share your story in the comments.

Was it planting the seed 🌱 that a PhD was even an option? Support when a new opportunity didn't go as planned? A publication that helped elevate your career? Or seeing yourself represented in academic leadership?

Throughout this year's Impact Summits, we celebrated members at every stage of and were reminded that impact extends far beyond individual achievements. It grows through mentorship, community, and a commitment to helping others succeed.

As Patricia G. Martínez, Ph.D., reflects:

"The role that The PhD Project played in my decision to pursue the degree is so great, that I have made a commitment to talk to any current or prospective PhD Project student who needs my help. It's my responsibility to pay back the help I received along the way."

That spirit of paying it forward is what strengthens our community and helps create opportunities for future scholars.

Today, you can make an immediate difference by :

➡️ Donate to our Standing Stronger Together campaign:
https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/fundraising/standing-stronger-together

➡️ Join our giving circle, the Vanguard Society:
https://phdproject.org/vanguardsociety/

➡️ Become a legacy supporter by establishing an endowment fund that creates lasting impact for future generations.

For more information, contact Marie Zara at [email protected].

08/25/2026

Congratulations to The PhD Project member Dr. Ian O. Williamson, Dean of the UC Irvine Paul Merage School of Business, on being named Chair of the Board of Directors of AACSB International.

Dr. Williamson assumes this leadership role at a pivotal time as AACSB implements its new Global Standards for Business Education, standards he helped shape as co-chair of the development committee.

As a valued partner of The PhD Project since 1994, AACSB has worked alongside our organization to advance excellence in business education, develop future faculty leaders, and create lasting impact for students, institutions, and the communities they serve.

As Dr. Williamson shared:
"Business education has entered a period of dramatic change. Artificial intelligence is rewriting the skills our graduates need. Global markets are shifting. In the face of these changes, society is asking business schools to prove, with evidence, that what we do matters."

We are proud to see a member of The PhD Project community helping guide the future of business education on a global scale. Congratulations Dr. Williamson!



https://merage.uci.edu/press-releases/2026/07/Dean-Ian-O-Williamson-Named-Chair-of-the-AACSB-International-Board-of-Directors.html

08/18/2026

Tomorrow, the Information Systems & Sciences community comes together in Reno for the ISS Impact Summit, an opportunity to connect, learn, and recognize the impact of our community.

As we look forward to bringing the ISS community together, we’re also highlighting one of its members, Roderick Lee Ph.D, whose journey is a powerful example of the impact of mentorship and opening doors for others.

A five-time Penn State graduate, Dr. Lee credits mentors who recognized his potential and encouraged him to pursue opportunities that shaped his career. Today, he is paying that investment forward as a professor, mentor, researcher, and leader, helping students build confidence, pursue opportunities, and see possibilities they may not have imagined for themselves.

His story is a reminder that when we invest in people, the impact extends far beyond the individual.

Read more about Dr. Lee’s journey, his commitment to mentorship, and his work helping open doors for the next generation:

🔗 Read the full story from Penn State Smeal College of Business:
https://harrisburg.psu.edu/story/59336/2026/08/14/penn-state-journey-dedicated-opening-doors-others

We look forward to seeing our ISS community tomorrow in Reno!

&Sciences

On Roderick Lee’s path to earning five degrees from Penn State, there were people who recognized his potential and encouraged him to pursue opportunities that shaped his career. Now, as a faculty member, he works to open doors for others, as he supports and mentors the next generation of Nittany L...

08/13/2026

Back from Las Vegas and reflecting on an incredible Accounting Impact Summit filled with learning, connection, and celebration.

During this one-day event, members participated in professional development sessions, student presentations, faculty mentoring opportunities, a meet-and-greet with university representatives, networking, and an awards reception.

We were especially excited to welcome new students beginning their doctoral journey and to recognize members who reached significant milestones this year, including passing comprehensive exams, successfully defending their dissertations, and earning promotions. These accomplishments reflect the talent, perseverance, and growth of our Accounting community.

Congratulations to Dr. Kerri-Ann Sanderson, recipient of the Spirit Circle Award, presented in recognition of her outstanding commitment and dedication to advancing The PhD Project's mission and exemplifying the values of the Accounting Member Association during the 2025–2026 academic year.

We also proudly celebrated Dr. Helen Brown-Liburd, who was inducted into The PhD Project Hall of Fame, recognizing her lasting leadership, service, and contributions to the academic community.

A sincere thank you to our Planning Committee and Faculty Advisors for creating a meaningful experience for our members. Special thanks to Accounting Member Association President John Daryl Barber for his leadership in guiding the committee and helping bring this event to life. We also look forward to working with Laura Wardwell, as she begins her term as President-Elect.

There was much to celebrate in Las Vegas, and we are grateful to everyone who contributed to making the Accounting Impact Summit such a success.

08/11/2026

The recognitions are still coming in from Philadelphia following The PhD Project Management Impact Summit!

Please join us in congratulating this year's award recipients:

🏆 Promising Young Educator Award – Aylime Bueno
🏆 Promising Young Scholar Research Excellence Award – Dr. Horatio Traylor
Both awards recognize excellence in research, publications, and presentations.

🏆 Trailblazer Award – Dr. Erika H. James
Recognized for distinguished scholarship, exemplary mentorship, and pioneering leadership that has advanced the field of management and inspired future generations.

🏆 Management Faculty of Color Association (MFCA) –MDSA Model Mentor–Mentee Award
Recognizing outstanding engagement and commitment to the MFCA–MDSA Mentorship Program, which supports the academic and professional growth of doctoral students.

A special thank-you to the current and past presidents of The PhD Project Management Association. Your dedication, service, and leadership have shaped a community where scholars can connect, grow, and thrive. The strength of this network is a reflection of your commitment over the years. We are especially grateful to current President Christopher Flowers for his leadership and service, and we look forward to the continued success of the association under incoming President Allie Garcia, MBA.

Congratulations to all of this year's honorees on these well-deserved recognitions!

07/23/2026

Congratulations to Myrna Varner on receiving an Impact Award from The Tenure Project during its Summer Soirée. The award honors leaders who are advancing equity in academia.

Founded by PhD Project members Dr. Wendy De La Rosa and Dr. Esther Uduehi, The Tenure Project supports junior faculty in U.S. business schools through mentorship, community, networking, and professional development opportunities designed to help scholars successfully navigate the path to tenure.

For nearly 20 years, Myrna supported The PhD Project community as our Member Relations Manager, building connections and championing the success of our members throughout their academic journeys. We are excited to see her dedication and commitment to supporting scholars recognized with this well-deserved honor.

We also celebrate the faculty members who achieved tenure this year and the continued progress of scholars advancing their careers in academia.

Congratulations to all who were recognized and celebrated during this inspiring gathering!

07/22/2026

The PhD Project Hall of Fame Spotlight Series continues with Dr. Lisa Ordóñez, Dean of the School of Management, UC San Diego and a 2026 Hall of Fame inductee.

Join Voices of Impact host Alfonzo Alexander for a special conversation with Dr. Ordóñez as she shares her journey from first-generation college student to business school dean, the mentors who helped shape her path, and her commitment to creating opportunities for future scholars.

🎙️ Listen now and be inspired by her story of leadership, mentorship, and impact.

Dr. Ordóñez will be officially inducted into The PhD Project Hall of Fame during the Management Impact Summit on July 31, 2026.

Visit http://www.phdproject.org to learn more.Episode Highlights...

07/17/2026

What keeps you going when the journey gets tough?
As we prepare for our first Impact Summit event, we're reflecting on a powerful stage of : Persistence.

For many members, The PhD Project becomes a source of support during moments of doubt, burnout, and uncertainty. The quotes shared in this carousel are reminders that no one has to navigate the doctoral journey alone.

🫶 Community can be a lifeline.
🫶 Mentorship can change a trajectory.
🫶 Support can make the difference between giving up and moving forward.

Today, you can help ensure that future scholars have access to the same encouragement, connections, and opportunities that have helped generations of PhD Project members persist and succeed.

🔗Donate: https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/fundraising/standing-stronger-together

🔗 Learn more about The Vanguard Society: https://phdproject.org/vanguardsociety/

What role has community played in your journey?
Share your story below.

07/15/2026

The PhD Project is proud to announce the creation of the Dr. Kimberly M. Ellis Endowed Fund for Strategy Ph.D. Students, established through a generous legacy gift honoring Dr. Kimberly Ellis’s lifelong dedication to doctoral education, mentorship, and academic leadership.

Dr. Ellis’s mother shared:
“Dr. Ellis embraced every opportunity to enhance her knowledge and to pursue excellence. My sincere hope is that the recipient of this endowment will exhibit the same tenacity as Dr. Ellis did.”

The endowed fund will provide meaningful support to future strategy Ph.D. students as they pursue their academic journeys and carry forward Dr. Ellis’s commitment to excellence.

Learn more about Dr. Ellis’s legacy and the impact of this meaningful gift:
http://bit.ly/4ypCWPu

07/10/2026

Investing in leadership at every stage of the faculty journey.

On June 22–23, The PhD Project proudly hosted our Board Fit and Aspiring Leaders seminars at Morgan State University , Graves School of Business & Management, bringing together 41 tenured faculty members focused on expanding their impact through board service and academic leadership.

We extend our sincere gratitude to Dean Royce Burnett, a PhD Project member and champion, for hosting these important programs and for his continued commitment to developing future leaders in higher education. We also thank the Morgan State University team, our moderators, planning committee members, and all participants whose engagement, insights, and willingness to share their experiences made these seminars a success.

Special thanks to:
🔹 Board Fit Moderators
• Stephen L. Brown, Senior Advisor, KPMG LLP Board Leadership Center
• Susan Angele, Alpha Fellow

🔹 Aspiring Leaders Planning Committee
• Dr. Lisa Ordóñez, Dean, University of California, San Diego - Rady School of Management
• Dr. Miguel Quiñones, University Professor of Management, University of Richmond - Robins School of Business
• Dr. Anthony Wilbon, Ph.D., PMP, Dean, Howard University School of Business

A special thank you to Dr. Lisa Ordóñez for her leadership and dedication as a member of the Aspiring Leaders Planning Committee. As she transitions off the committee, we are grateful for the time, expertise, and commitment she has shared in helping advance leadership development opportunities for The PhD Project community.

As one participant shared:

"The PhD Project remains focused on the professional development of its members. As someone who has benefited immensely throughout my time as a doctoral student, junior faculty, and even now as a tenured and endowed professor, there isn’t a better academic organization on the planet than The PhD Project. The holistic approach it takes to developing doctoral students and faculty is second to none."

Thank you to everyone who contributed to these impactful programs and to strengthening the leadership pipeline across business education.