Eighteenth International Conference on Diversity in Organizations, Communities & Nations

Abstract

When confronted about the lack of ethnic or gender diversity in an organization, many organizations issue statements about the difficulty in finding qualified female candidates or qualified candidates of color. Conversely, many women and employees of color state that they experience either their male counterparts or white counterparts with equivalent credentials advance at a more rapid rate. The strategy of some employees is to seek an advanced degree to assist in organizational advancement. This case study examines the reasons that graduate students seek a doctoral degree. The case study was conducted at a small non-profit graduate institute in a large urban area on the Pacific Coast of the United States. Thirty-two graduate students, currently enrolled, participated in the study. The student body of the graduate institute is highly diverse with regard to gender, sexual orientation, ethnic group, age, and religion. For example, the program is about 66% female and more than 60% of the students identify as non-white. First, the reasons students choose to pursue a doctoral degree were assessed. Second, the graduate students’ perceptions vis-à-vis meeting their needs were detailed. Finally, the measures taken by the program to promote diversity are detailed.