John Moseley, the president of Lincoln University in Jefferson City, Missouri, has been temporarily relieved of his duties with pay amidst an unfolding situation at the university.
The university’s board of curators made this decision following the suicide of Antoinette “Bonnie” Candia-Bailey, an administrator at Lincoln University.
Candia-Bailey, who was 49 and held the position of vice president of student affairs at the university, died on January 8, 2024. Her death is currently under investigation.
Just days before her death, on January 3, Moseley had dismissed Candia-Bailey from her role, a position she had held for only eight months.
Candia-Bailey’s mother, Veronica Candia, and stepfather, Anthony Bailey, disclosed that her professional relationship with Moseley had significantly worsened, leading to feelings of depression and lack of support in her role.
On the day of her suicide, Candia-Bailey sent an email to Moseley and others, in which she accused Moseley of bullying and criticized his leadership and the university administration.
Monica Graham, a close friend of Candia-Bailey since their freshman year at Lincoln University and who saw the email that day, expressed regret, feeling that she could have intervened had she paid more attention to the email.
In light of the incident, the university has initiated a third-party review to probe personnel issues and mental health concerns. Moseley has voluntarily stepped down during this investigation period.
Victor Pasley, the board president of Lincoln University, stated, “We are committed to prioritizing the mental health of Lincoln University employees and ensuring that each employee is treated with dignity and respect.”
These events have spurred calls for a change in leadership. Sherman Bonds, the president of the university’s national alumni association, has been particularly vocal about the need for healing and a leadership transition. “We require new leadership and a period of healing,” Bonds said. “My main concern is that institutional care has been breached, and that falls on the office of the presidency.”
Candia-Bailey, who graduated from Lincoln University in 1998, is remembered by her family and the university community as a strong advocate for the institution and an inspiration to many.
Her mother, in an interview, expressed her surprise at the extensive praise for her daughter on social media, stating, “I was not aware that there were so many people who thought so highly of my daughter.”
This incident has prompted questions about the work environment at Lincoln University and the mental health support systems that are in place.
