The PhD Project Annual Conference is promoting its event November 18–20, 2010 at the Hyatt Regency O’Hare in Chicago, IL.

The PhD Project hosts an ***** invitation only ***** conference each November for minority professionals considering doctoral studies. Sounds great, right EXCEPT if you are an Asian Pacific American. Read their statement describing what they are all about:

"The PhD Project is a unique diversity initiative that encourages African-American, Hispanic-Americans and Native Americans to pursue their Ph.D.’s in business to serve as role models and mentors for minority business students."

....ooops , guess who is missing? Us overachieving, hugely successfull, embarassingly-rich, nerdy APAs. The Model Minority Myth lives on. So... I email the person in charge of this program and politely ask if Asian Americans can participate. In the past I usually get a response like .... ahhh, er... ooo, yes you can come if you want. No chance this time. Look at the response I got:

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According to the information that I have Asian Pacific Islander does not fall under Native American therefore you would not eligible to participate. However, Native Hawaiian Pacific Islander would be eligible.
 
Tara
 
Tara Perino
Associate Director, KPMG Foundation, KPMG Disaster Relief Fund and The PhD Project
201-307-7932 (phone)
201-624-7763 (Fax)
201-574-5663 (cell phone)
tperino@kpmg.com
www.kpmgfoundation.org
www.phdproject.org
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not even an "i'm sorry." Never mind that the five ethnic groups that have the lowest college completion rates are ALL Asian American. Never mind that the poorest ethnic group in the US is Asian American.  Here in Connecticut we have been struggling for almost ten years to get an APA Commission created, only to get awarded a budget of -------- $25,000.

For more information on the PhD Project:
http://www.phdproject.org/<http://et.ratepoint.com/f1bddca992d4235a14a066b3710df179/a2fe9c51bc40779d77b21044b33eca0d>