Sitting Down with Alfonzo Alexander, The PhD Project’s Chairman of Board of Directors

Assuming his new role as PhD Project board chair this past July, Alfonzo Alexander has already hit the ground running. From moderating conference panels to sitting in on important discussions about the future of higher education, Alfonzo has demonstrated his dedication to our mission and passion for diversity in the business world.

?I sat down with Alfonzo to learn more about him, his hope for The PhD Project’s future as we hit our 30th anniversary milestone, and more. Here is what he had to say:

?The PhD Project family wants to get to know you. Tell us about yourself!

Alfonzo: I am a native of Murfreesboro, Tennessee, a college town and suburb of Nashville. I received my undergraduate degree from Tennessee Tech University, where I was a business management major and varsity athlete. Throughout my career, I worked in corporate America – the non-profit sector – and later within the association industry. I am also an owner and investor in several entrepreneurial endeavors. In addition to my bachelor’s degree, I also received my Master of Business Administration from Lipscomb University in Nashville.

Currently, I am an executive with the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy, otherwise known as NASBA. There, I serve in two capacities: first as the chief ethics and diversity officer and secondly as the president of the NASBA Center for the Public Trust. In these roles, I provide leadership, strategy and development. I also have the opportunity to work with students and faculty across the country and help to better diversify the accounting profession.

As for a fun fact, I enjoy visiting tropical places but spend very little time in the sun while I’m there. I prefer to be in the shade or indoors looking at the picturesque scenery.

As Board Chair, what challenges and opportunities do you see for The Project in the year ahead?

Alfonzo: As board chair, I envision The PhD Project having great opportunities to expand its work based on an active strategic plan that has been developed. Through the plan, it is my hope that we can provide more of the quality work that we do to an increased number of individuals. To overcome challenges with the landscape in today's business changing so rapidly due to the political climate and other factors, we have to be more innovative in how we seek support and funding from our partners as well as how we provide additional programming and support to our students and faculty.

How is The PhD Project a solution to the historical challenges of underrepresented minorities in the accounting profession? What is the impact The PhD Project is having on the profession?

Alfonzo: The PhD Project is a solution to the historical challenges underrepresented minorities have faced in the accounting profession, because it provides students with positive examples and role models. There is significant research and data showing that individuals make decisions to either go into a major or change the major based on their first introduction to that coursework. So, by having more diverse individuals teaching accounting, we have a greater chance of helping to better diversify the profession. I believe The PhD Project is making a positive impact on the profession of accounting, because it is a long-term investment in change that has been in place for a long enough time to where we are seeing some immediate gains. What I mean by that is when you look at the number of accounting faculty today versus when The PhD Project started, we have more faculty members who have influenced students over the years. We also have faculty who are influencing the pipeline today.

How has being the chief ethics and diversity officer of our longtime corporate partner National Association of State Boards of Accountancy (NASBA) also helped in your new role at The PhD Project?

Alfonzo: Being the chief ethics and diversity officer at NASBA helps me in my role as the board chair of The PhD Project because it enables me to share information regarding trends and activities that are happening within the CPA profession with PhD Project staff, faculty and doctoral students. For example, this summer, we were able to discuss issues regarding the changes to the CPA Examination. It is also valuable to hear from faculty and students as it relates to how those changes may impact them.

As we enter our 30th anniversary, what is your hope for The PhD Project this year?

Alfonzo: As we celebrate the 30th anniversary of The PhD Project, my hope is that we experience a significant number of new organizations that are willing to partner with us. We also would love to see how we can expand the influence and the reach of The PhD Project while maintaining significant positive operations within our organization. I would like to see more accounting firms and other businesses engaged with The PhD Project, because The PhD Project is a great organization for the entire profession to embrace.

Any other takeaways?

Alfonzo: No one organization alone can resolve this great challenge and opportunity that we have to better diversify corporate America. The PhD Project and other great organizations are working to impact this issue. By collaborating with The PhD Project, others can work with us to establish more significant pipelines, greater access to talent and opportunities to a larger network of young professionals. Through collaboration, we can accomplish great things, and I am proud to be a collaborator with The PhD Project.