Worcester Business Journal

4 Worcester Business Journal | October 16, 2023 | wbjournal.com C E N T R A L M A S S I N B R I E F V E R B AT I M New executive director "It's been great collaborating with Fred for the past year and a half to build Shine's development depart- ment and allow for strategic growth … I appreciate the Board's faith in me and am excited to take Shine into this next phase." Charisse Murphy, interim executive director of Worcester mental health nonprofit Shine Initiative, on being named to replace Fred Kaelin, who is departing after five years as executive director. The nonprofit's board will not search for a non-interim replacement as it considers Murphy for the role. Leadership battle "I filed my lawsuit in order to force Treasurer Goldberg to follow the law and give me an opportunity to be heard. She notified my legal counsel yesterday that we will have a hearing in early November." Shannon O'Brien, the suspended chair of the Massachusetts Cannabis Control Commission, on her upcoming hearing against State Treasurer Deborah Goldberg over O'Brien's removal from the CCC board DEI fellow "We're committed to fostering an inclusive environment for all students. This fellowship will help us shape the desired culture we envision for our students, one which fosters an environment of respect, cultural and diverse awareness in which all can thrive." Worcester State University President Barry Maloney, on WSU's hiring of Ilyasah Shabazz, the daughter of civil rights icons Malcolm X and Dr. Betty Shabazz, to become the school's inaugural diversity, equity, and inclusion fellow. Pictured is Ilyasah Shabazz. BY TIMOTHY DOYLE WBJ Staff Writer G lenn Sulmasy is out as Nichols College president, according to an announcement posted Oct. 3 aernoon to the Dudley school's website. Sulmasy submitted his resignation Oct. 3 to the Board of Trustees as the school conducts an investigation in allegations of impropriety by Sulmasy while he served as an instructor and official at the United States Coast Guard Academy in Connecticut. e allegations were first uncovered in an ongoing CNN investigation of the academy, which included that Sulmasy exchanged sexually inappropriate text messages with students, some of which implied he would trade favorable academic treatment in exchange for images. "In light of these reports and facts uncovered to date during the College's 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," read an Oct. 3 statement on Nichols' website. e college will launch a national search for a new president. In the meantime, Vice President for Advancement Bill Pieczynski will continue in his role as acting president. In July, CNN reported that while serving at the U.S. Coast Guard Academy in Connecticut he advised a female cadet not to pursue rape allegations against a male cadet. In September, the school launched an investigation and Sulmasy took a voluntary leave of absence. Following the announcement of the investigation, on Sept. 21 CNN reported that while at the U.S. Coast Guard Academy Sulmasy exchanged more than 1,600 texts, some racy and implying academic favoritism with another cadet. As part of its investigation, CNN uncovered more allegations of impropriety. Sulmasy's lawyer Jeffrey Robbins told CNN the texts were consensual in nature. e school's investigator, Pembroke law firm Clifford & Kenny, will soon issue a formal report to the school, which Nichols intends to keep confidential. Sulmasy commenced in his role as Nichols president on July 1, 2021. Previously, he served as provost and chief academic officer at Bryant University, where he was placed on probation following the Coast Guard revoking a recommendation of Sulmasy. Bryant University previously did not respond to a WBJ request for information about whether Bryant made the probation clear to Nichols College prior to his being hired. During the Nichols' investigation, Sulmasy was barred from contact with anyone from Nichols. He is also barred from the U.S. Coast Guard Academy campus. A message sent to Sulmasy's attorney on Oct. 3 was not immediately returned. Nichols College enrolled 1,206 students in the fall 2022 semester, the most recent year available, and has an endowment of more than $27 million, according to the WBJ Research Department. Nichols College president resigns amid investigation into Coast Guard misconduct Glenn Sulmasy, former Nichols College president PHOTO | MATT WRIGHT W

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