John Moseley: Missouri college prez accused of driving female VP to kill herself after bullying her
If you or someone you know is considering suicide, please contact the National Suicide Hotline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255).
JEFFERSON CITY, MISSOURI: A troubling saga is unfolding at Lincoln University in Missouri, where President John Moseley has been placed on leave pending an investigation into allegations he created a toxic work environment that drove his vice president of student affairs to suicide.
The Lincoln community is demanding accountability from its leadership after Dr Antoinette “Bonnie” Candia-Bailey cited Moseley’s alleged bullying and mistreatment in her final words before taking her own life on January 8, as per Daily Mail.
HCF statement on the passing of Dr. Antoinette Bonnie Candia-Bailey, who served as VP for Student Affairs at Lincoln University of Missouri. Our prayers are with her family, friends, & the entire Lincoln community during this difficult time. Arrangements will be later announced. pic.twitter.com/5pWsdpy0vO
— HBCU Campaign Fund (@HBCUCampaign) January 12, 2024
Lincoln University President John Moseley goes on leave amid bullying allegations
The president of Lincoln University in Missouri has been placed on voluntary leave this week pending an investigation into allegations that he created a hostile work environment that led a female administrator to take her own life.
Dr John Moseley, who became president of the historically Black university in January 2022, is facing intense backlash over accusations that his bullying and mistreatment drove Vice President of Student Affairs Dr Antoinette “Bonnie” Candia-Bailey to suicide on January 8.
She cited Moseley’s behavior towards her in a final email sent hours before she died, calling him a “bully” with a “callous and evil soul” who caused her “enough harm and mental damage.”
Protests erupted on Lincoln’s campus as the disturbing allegations emerged, with demands from students and faculty for Moseley’s resignation.
While the independent review proceeds over the next few weeks, Moseley has taken a voluntary leave from his leadership post.
Dr Antoinette Candia-Bailey's final pleas for help went unanswered
Candia-Bailey had allegedly raised repeated concerns over her treatment by Moseley but was “unsupported, disregarded and abused” by Lincoln’s administration, her loved ones told media outlets.
On the morning of her death, she outlined her struggles with mental illness brought on by an increasingly fraught relationship with Moseley.
She said he had joked about her anxiety and depression, ignored her complaints of intentional harassment, and evaded discussing his behavior face-to-face.
When Candia-Bailey informed Lincoln’s Board of Curators of the issues, she claimed the board president dismissed her concerns.
Documents also show the university had denied the administrator’s requests for medical leave for mental health reasons.
Lincoln University's students and faculty outraged over treatment of Dr Antoinette Candia-Bailey
Candia-Bailey was known as a generous, passionate leader devoted to Lincoln’s students and mission. But friends said she noticeably deteriorated after starting as vice president last May, yet kept up appearances at university events while privately suffering.
Her sudden death has ignited fury across Lincoln. Students have protested calling for Moseley to be fired, while the president of the alumni association penned an open letter urging leadership changes to “restore peace and healing” after the “institutional care has been breached.”
With an interim president appointed this week, the Board of Curators has initiated a third-party review process of the incident. While the board says it cannot legally discuss confidential personnel matters, it called Candia-Bailey’s suicide “tragic” and vowed employees’ mental health and dignified treatment would be top priorities moving forward.
