The U.S. Department of Education has opened a civil rights investigation into the University of Kentucky, placing the school among dozens of higher education institutions nationwide under federal scrutiny.
In a news release issued Friday, the department said its Office of Civil Rights is examining whether the university violated Title VI of the Civil Rights Act, which bars recipients of federal funding from discriminating based on race, color, or national origin. The investigation centers on the university’s alleged partnership with the Ph.D. Project.
The Ph.D. Project is a nonprofit organization focused on increasing diversity in the business field by encouraging individuals from underrepresented backgrounds to pursue doctoral degrees. According to its website, the program offers resources and networking opportunities aimed at improving completion rates. However, federal officials allege that the program restricts eligibility based on race, raising potential Title VI concerns.
“Today’s announcement expands our efforts to ensure universities are not discriminating against their students based on race and race stereotypes,” said Linda McMahon, the U.S. Secretary of Education, in a statement. “Students must be assessed according to merit and accomplishment, not prejudged by the color of their skin. We will not yield on this commitment.”
A spokesperson for the University of Kentucky said the institution has not yet received formal notice of the investigation.
“We are aware of the release this morning from the Department of Education Office of Civil Rights,” said UK spokesperson Lindsey Piercy. “We have not received any official notification of this review. However, the university complies with both the Constitution and Title VI. Our graduate programs are open to all qualified applicants. We will continue to monitor and review this issue, cooperate with any official inquiries and, as always, comply with the law.”
The university did not provide details about the nature or scope of its partnership with the Ph.D. Project.
According to the department, no other Kentucky universities are currently listed among those under investigation related to the Ph.D. Project. However, the federal review includes a wide range of public and private institutions across the country.
In addition to these cases, the Department of Education announced separate investigations into several other universities accused of awarding race-based scholarships or operating programs that allegedly segregate students by race.
The announcement follows a Dear Colleague Letter issued last month, in which the department instructed colleges and universities to stop considering race in admissions, hiring, compensation, scholarships, and other institutional practices. Schools found to be in violation could risk losing federal funding.
Federal officials said the guidance is based on the Trump administration’s interpretation of the U.S. Supreme Court’s 2023 ruling that struck down affirmative action in college admissions. While the court’s decision focused specifically on admissions policies, the department has argued that the ruling should be applied more broadly across higher education programs.
In response to the February guidance, both the University of Louisville and Bellarmine University notified their campus communities that they are reviewing federal requirements and assessing how existing programs may be affected.
Bellarmine University President Susan Donovan said the school is “prepared to comply with regulations that allow our students to continue receiving student aid.”
