Nichols College in Massachusetts’ president, a former professor who served during a sexual harassment controversy at the Coast Guard Academy, has resigned.
After allegations from Sulmasy’s time at the academy surfaced, Nichols launched an investigation, and Sulmasy resigned on Tuesday.
“In light of these reports and facts uncovered to date during our ongoing investigation, and their impact on President Sulmasy’s ability to lead Nichols College, the board strongly believes the institution’s best interest is to pursue new leadership,” the college said.
Sulmasy and his lawyer did not respond to messages left Wednesday seeking comment. The Coast Guard was silent as of right away.
In June, the Coast Guard issued an apology for not taking “appropriate action” when allegations of sexual assault and harassment at the U.S. Coast Guard Academy in New London, Connecticut, first arose.
The “Operation Fouled Anchor” inquiry uncovered 62 proven cases of sexual assault and harassment.
CNN broke the initial news of the internal Coast Guard probe, and later, it was revealed that Sulmasy’s performance review at the academy had improper communications with cadets and subordinates noted. According to CNN, the Coast Guard thought about accusing him of acting in an improper manner for an officer.
Sulmasy retired from the Coast Guard Academy in 2015 with the rank of captain after serving as a law professor and the head of the humanities department. Before joining Nichols in 2021, he first worked as provost and chief academic officer at Bryant University in Rhode Island.
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Private four-year college Nichols recruited Clifford & Kenney LLP, an outside legal firm, to carry out an impartial inquiry that hasn’t been finished yet. A college representative declined to provide more context.
