Posted on January 31, 2023 by Rebekah Alegria
Two UTSA Carlos Alvarez College of Business graduate students attended The PhD Project‘s annual conference in Chicago last year. The participants were Veronica Diaz, a MBA student, and Holly King, ’22 a graduate student in the master’s of economics program. They were two of only 180 students selected to participate nationwide.
Both students are members of the college’s Pre-PhD Pathway, which provides students with research experience to be competitive candidates for top-rated business and economics PhD programs. The program partners with The PhD Project, an organization focused on diversifying candidates in PhD programs.
Diaz began exploring the possibility of obtaining her PhD after earning her MBA. She was encouraged by Juan Manuel Sanchez, associate dean of graduate studies and research to attend The PhD Project conference to learn more about the benefits of obtaining a doctoral degree.
“I have been interested in obtaining a PhD since I was 12 years old, but the path had always seemed inaccessible. The Pre-PhD Pathway has really opened my eyes to opportunities that were not previously available to me,” stated Diaz.
The students attended the three-day conference where they had the opportunity to connect with current doctoral students, business school representatives, professors and partner organizations.
“Attending this conference has renewed my determination and will help me remain focused and organized to use my own talents to receive my PhD,” said King.
With a rejuvenated outlook on their higher education journey, Diaz and King will both continue to move forward in their pursuit of a PhD by participating in the Alvarez Pre-PhD Pathway. The pathway includes three-course academic courses, participation in research workshops and interaction with current PhD students.
— Rebekah Alegria
