Kellogg Doctoral Program

Diversity Education and Outreach

Cultural Diversity
The Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University is committed to providing a supportive and welcoming environment for doctoral students to focus on their academics and research. Students spend four to five years completing the requirements for their PhD degree; consequently, they become an integral part of the academic, research and social culture at Kellogg. The Kellogg School and the university have many resources dedicated to ensuring that students from all backgrounds have an unparalleled academic experience throughout their doctoral program.

The Office of Student Life and Multicultural Affairs, housed at Northwestern's Graduate School, is a resource for prospective applicants and current graduate students. Their Web site includes information on graduate life at Northwestern and celebrates the diversity of our student body. Their Web site and this student resources handout (pdf.) include information on admission (application process), student life, student associations and clubs, funding opportunities, professional development, and more.

A separate office, the Northwestern University Student Affairs Office provides additional resources for students. A section of their Web site is devoted to student life and culture that highlights various clubs and student organizations on campus. They also provide support to students with disabilities by removing some of the barriers to education that students with disabilities may experience. For more information, please contact the Office of Services for Students with Disabilities.

International Students
The Kellogg School of Management is a leader in business education and attracts students from all over the world to its doctoral programs. Currently 26 countries are represented among the student body. In order to support this diverse student population, the International Office at Northwestern University was established to advise students on their non-immigrant legal status in the United States. Additionally the International Office seeks to promote mutual understanding, respect and friendship across the broad spectrum of cultural backgrounds and values represented by all members of Northwestern University. Their Web site has a wealth of information for new and current students concerning visas, employment authorization, travel policies, housing, social events, and more.

The International Office's Web site also provides a link to the Community Council for International Students (CCIS), an all-volunteer group dedicated to making new students feel welcome in this country and at Northwestern University by offering a variety of social and informational programs. CCIS was founded in 1971 by a group of women who had lived and/or traveled extensively in other countries. The original mission holds true today: "to provide a cross-cultural exchange of ideas, information, and friendship." Since then, more than 4,500 students from over 60 countries have found CCIS to be a wonderful resource for making their stay in the United States easier and more enjoyable.

The PhD Project
As stated on their Web site, the PhD Project is an independent organization created to increase the diversity of business school faculty by attracting African Americans, Hispanic Americans, and Native Americans to business doctoral programs and provide a network of peer support throughout the disciplines. Additionally, the PhD Project introduces prospective minority applicants to doctoral program representatives through a conference in Chicago each November. Part of the conference agenda is a recruiting fair where prospective applicants and business school representatives meet. Kellogg admission staff and current doctoral students attend the conference each year to discuss the seven fields in which the Kellogg School offers a PhD.

A conference application is available through the PhD Project. In addition to the recruiting fair, there are various panel discussions at the PhD Project consisting of doctoral students, professors and deans who answer questions about the application process (providing tips and advice), general programs of study (accounting, finance, marketing, management, business economics, etc.), the PhD student experience, balancing PhD study with family commitments, professional development, academic job markets, etc. It's a great opportunity to immerse oneself in the prospect of PhD study and the opportunities a PhD degree can provide.