The president of Lincoln University in Jefferson City, Missouri, John Moseley, has been placed on paid leave amidst a developing crisis at the institution.
This decision by the university’s board of curators follows the death of Antoinette “Bonnie” Candia-Bailey, a Lincoln University administrator, who took her own life.
Candia-Bailey, 49, served as the university’s vice president of student affairs. Her death on January 8, 2024, is being investigated.
Candia-Bailey had been terminated from her position by Moseley on January 3, just eight months after assuming the role.
Her mother, Veronica Candia, and her mother’s husband, Anthony Bailey, revealed that her daughter’s professional relationship with Moseley had significantly deteriorated, leading to her feeling unsupported and depressed in her role.
On the day of her suicide, Candia-Bailey sent an email to Moseley and others, which included accusations of bullying and criticisms of his leadership and the university’s administration.
Monica Graham, Candia-Bailey’s friend since their freshman year at Lincoln University and someone who saw the email that day, was upset because she felt that if she had read it in its entirety, she might have been able to save her friend’s life.
The university has announced a third-party review to investigate personnel issues and mental health concerns in response to the suicide.
Moseley volunteered to step aside during this review. Victor Pasley, the board president of Lincoln University, said, “We are committed to making the mental health of Lincoln University employees a priority and ensuring that every employee is treated with dignity and respect.”
The situation has led to calls for new leadership. Sherman Bonds, president of the university’s national alumni association, has been particularly vocal, stating the need for healing and leadership change. “We need new leadership and obviously to heal,” Bonds said in an interview. “My primary concern is institutional care has been breached, and that falls on the office of the presidency.”
Candia-Bailey, a 1998 graduate of Lincoln University, is remembered by her family and the university community as an advocate for the institution and an inspiration to many.
In an interview, her mother expressed her surprise at the outpouring of admiration for her daughter on social media, saying, “I was not aware that there were so many people who thought so highly about my daughter.”
The incident has raised questions about the workplace environment at Lincoln University and the support systems in place for mental health.