Alfonzo Alexander Named Chair of PhD Project and Nashville Public Education Foundation  

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Alfonzo Alexander, NASBA Chief Ethics and Diversity Officer and NASBA Center for the Public Trust President, was recently appointed as chairman of The PhD Project and Nashville Public Education Foundation boards of directors. 

The PhD Project (The Project) accomplishes its mission of increasing diversity in the business world by providing opportunities for Black/African American, Latinx/Hispanic American and Native American members to pursue business PhDs with the intent of becoming business school faculty. Since its launch in 1994, The Project has been responsible for more than quintupling the number of underrepresented professors, administrators and academic leaders at an extensive list of academic institutions. Through its unique model, which includes close to 250 students currently enrolled in business PhD programs, more than 1,400 former business professionals and undergraduate students have successfully attained their doctoral degree.  

NASBA is a longtime corporate partner of The Project, and has demonstrated its support through monetary funding, participation at annual conferences, and by identifying key staff to serve on various PhD Project committees. Under Alexander’s leadership, the 17-member board will help advance The Project’s mission.  

“We are so excited that Alfonzo will be serving as PhD Project board chair. He will be a terrific asset to our team,” said PhD Project President Blane Ruschak. “Alfonzo is a strategic leader with a proven track record of success that includes working with corporations, nonprofits including colleges and universities and entrepreneurial ventures. We are grateful that he’s a part of The PhD Project family, and we’re confident that he will make our organization better as we strive to build a stronger, more diverse workforce.”  

Established in 2002, the Nashville Public Education Foundation (NPEF) is a 501©3 nonprofit organization that works to improve public schools and remove barriers to educational experiences through fundraising, supporting teachers and leaders, celebrating success and advocating for change. The organization also serves as a strategic partner to Metro Nashville Public Schools. The Foundation’s efforts have fostered data-driven solutions, which have led to tangible improvements in professional learning for educators, teacher pay, principal quality, college access and success, and more. As chair, Alexander will lead the 22-member board in improving Nashville’s schools for all students. 

Learn more about these two organizations by visiting their respective websites: The PhD Project and Nashville Public Education Foundation.