Latest news with #PHDProject
Yahoo
17-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
UW Madison among group of schools investigated by DOE for discrimination
MADISON, Wis. (WLAX/WEUX) – UW Madison is one of more than 45 universities the Department of Education's Office of Civil Rights is investigating. The department issued a memo saying American educational Institutions discriminated against white and Asian students. UW Madison is facing scrutiny for a group, called the PHD Project, for helping students from underrepresented groups obtain degrees in business. UW Madison saying as of Friday it was not formally notified of any complaint to the PHD Project and if a complaint is Received it will cooperate with the investigation. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
17-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
UNLV professor killed in 2023 mass shooting is named as part of Trump's DEI crackdown at colleges
A Las Vegas university professor who was killed in a mass shooting at the campus more than a year ago has been named by the Trump administration in a new investigation into Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in higher education. Patricia Navarro-Velez, 39, was one of three people gunned down in December 2023 mass killing on the school's campus. A spokesperson for UNLV confirmed that she had been named as part of a federal investigation by the Department of Education. The probe is part of Donald Trump's ongoing efforts to remove DEI programs from educational institutions and within government agencies. The feds had targeted 45 different colleges as part of their investigation. Navarro-Velez was named as one of the UNLV educators being looked at for violating Trump's anti-DEI order that was issued in January 2025. 'UNLV is aware of the federal investigation. Three former UNLV professors were participants in the mentoring program known as the PHD Project,' the statement, shared with Fox5 said. 'Two of them are no longer with UNLV. The third person was Patricia Navarro Velez, a beloved professor who was tragically killed on our campus by a gunman on Dec. 6, 2023. 'In accordance with the Nevada System of Higher Education policy, UNLV is committed to and will provide equality of educational and employment opportunity for all persons regardless of race, sex, age, color, national origin, religion, disability, sexual orientation, gender, genetic information, pregnancy, or veteran status.' UNLV added that it could not comment further due to the ongoing investigation. Prior to her death Navarro-Velez had worked as an assistant professor of accounting and had 'devoted her career to educating the next generation of accountants', college president Keith Whitfield said at the time. She had joined UNLV nearly five years before the mass shooting as a professor of accounting, where she primarily focused on teaching accounting information systems. Navarro-Velez received her PhD in accounting from the University of Central Florida, received her master's from Bowling Green State University and received her bachelor's in accounting from the University of Puerto Rico, Ponce. The UNLV spokesperson added the professors were involved in the PhD Project, which is an organization that aims in recruiting 'a broader talent pipeline' into doctoral programs, according to its website. On Friday, the Education Department said that the identified schools had violated the 1964 Civil Rights Act by partnering with The PhD Project. The department alleges that the project limits eligibility based on the race of participants, and therefore, universities involved with the organization are engaging in "race-exclusionary practices." 'The Department is working to reorient civil rights enforcement to ensure all students are protected from illegal discrimination,' said U.S. Secretary of Education Linda McMahon. 'Students must be assessed according to merit and accomplishment, not prejudged by the color of their skin. We will not yield on this commitment.' Prior to this, on February 14, the Office for Civil Rights sent a Dear Colleague Letter to educational institutions receiving federal funding clarifying that, pursuant to federal anti-discrimination law, they must cease using race preferences and stereotypes as a factor in their admissions, hiring, promotion, compensation, scholarships, prizes, administrative support, sanctions, discipline and other programs and activities. On March 1, the Department released FAQs to anticipate and answer questions that may have arisen in response to the letter. The Independent has requested comment from the White House on the investigation.
The Independent
17-03-2025
- Politics
- The Independent
UNLV professor killed in 2023 mass shooting is named as part of Trump's DEI crackdown at colleges
A Las Vegas university professor who was killed in a mass shooting at the campus more than a year ago has been named by the Trump administration in a new investigation into Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in higher education. Patricia Navarro-Velez, 39, was one of three people gunned down in December 2023 mass killing on the school's campus. A spokesperson for UNLV confirmed that she had been named as part of a federal investigation by the Department of Education. The probe is part of Donald Trump 's ongoing efforts to remove DEI programs from educational institutions and within government agencies. The feds had targeted 45 different colleges as part of their investigation. Navarro-Velez was named as one of the UNLV educators being looked at for violating Trump's anti-DEI order that was issued in January 2025. 'UNLV is aware of the federal investigation. Three former UNLV professors were participants in the mentoring program known as the PHD Project,' the statement, shared with Fox5 said. 'Two of them are no longer with UNLV. The third person was Patricia Navarro Velez, a beloved professor who was tragically killed on our campus by a gunman on Dec. 6, 2023. 'In accordance with the Nevada System of Higher Education policy, UNLV is committed to and will provide equality of educational and employment opportunity for all persons regardless of race, sex, age, color, national origin, religion, disability, sexual orientation, gender, genetic information, pregnancy, or veteran status.' UNLV added that it could not comment further due to the ongoing investigation. Prior to her death Navarro-Velez had worked as an assistant professor of accounting and had 'devoted her career to educating the next generation of accountants', college president Keith Whitfield said at the time. She had joined UNLV nearly five years before the mass shooting as a professor of accounting, where she primarily focused on teaching accounting information systems. Navarro-Velez received her PhD in accounting from the University of Central Florida, received her master's from Bowling Green State University and received her bachelor's in accounting from the University of Puerto Rico, Ponce. The UNLV spokesperson added the professors were involved in the PhD Project, which is an organization that aims in recruiting 'a broader talent pipeline' into doctoral programs, according to its website.
Yahoo
15-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Slain UNLV professor part of program under federal DEI probe
LAS VEGAS (KLAS) — Three former UNLV professors — including one who died in the fatal on-campus shooting on Dec. 6, 2023 — participated in a program known as the Ph.D Project, which appears to have gotten the attention of the U.S. government and landed the university in the middle of a federal investigation, the 8 News Now Investigators have learned. Friday, the Education Department announced it is investigating more than 50 colleges — including UNLV — over what it called 'racial preferences' in academics or scholarships, a move that comes amid the Trump administration's wider crackdown on diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) programs. The department said 45 schools are under investigation for partnering with the Ph.D Project, which it says is 'an organization that purports to provide doctoral students with insights into obtaining a Ph.D. and networking opportunities, but limits eligibility based on the race of participants.' UNLV, in a statement, acknowledged its professors' involvement in the Ph.D project. 'UNLV is aware of the federal investigation,' the statement said. 'Three former UNLV professors were participants in the mentoring program known as the PHD Project. 'Two of them are no longer with UNLV. The third person was Patricia Navarro Velez, a beloved professor who was tragically killed on our campus by a gunman on Dec. 6, 2023.' Word of the investigation comes just days after UNLV's president, Keith Whitfield, abruptly resigned, citing a need to focus on his family. 'These commitments will require more of my time and energy and prevent me from being your president,' he said in his statement to the university community on March 3. The next day, 8 News Now reported that the Nevada System of Higher Education Board of Regents showed, in recent meetings, a growing frustration with Whitfield. NSHE, in a statement Friday, also responded to news of the federal investigation into UNLV and other colleges and universities, including Ivy League schools, large state schools and smaller colleges. 'We are working to understand the scope of the investigation and how to best support our institution in addressing any concerns,' the statement said. 'NSHE remains committed to fostering vibrant campus communities that support the success of our students, faculty, and researchers. We will continue to support our institutions in navigating federal requirements while advancing their missions in service to Nevada.' Patricia Navarro Velez, one of the professors cited in UNLV's statement about the federal investigation, died in the December 2023 shooting on UNLV's campus in which three faculty members died. Known as 'Pat,' Navarro Velez was a beloved member of the UNLV accounting and Lee Business School community and family, Dr. Jason Smith, Department of Accounting chair and professor at Lee Business School said. 'She had a larger-than-life personality and an infectious smile, and a genuine kindness that made everyone around her feel like family,' Dr. Smith said. Effective March 4, UNLV Executive Vice President and Provost Christopher L. Heavey, Ph.D., will take the role of Officer in Charge, according to a post on the UNLV website. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
