Expanding the Pipeline: Explorations on Diversifying the Professoriate

Abstract

This article serves as an exploration of issues of recruitment into and retention of minority doctoral candidates in the fields of public administration and public affairs. It builds off of a need recognized in several reports that argue for increasing the diversity of faculty members in a number of academic disciplines. Drawing on survey responses from doctoral program advisors, current doctoral students from underrepresented communities, and people from underrepresented communities who are considering doctoral programs, the article explores key factors that might affect strategies for enhancing the recruitment, retention, and completion strategies for minority doctoral candidates in public administration and public affairs.