Cape Cod Community College's longtime president, John Cox, quietly stepped down in mid-March, just as the board revealed that an outside review found he had engaged in "inappropriate and unprofessional conduct" toward a complainant, according to school officials. Cox had been on paid administrative leave since last October while trustees brought in an external investigator, keeping a tight lid on details until the review wrapped up.
College confirms retirement and board action
In a notice to the campus community, the college said Cox submitted his retirement on March 16, 2026, effective immediately, and that Board Chair Tammy Glivinski-Saben would call a special meeting to figure out the next move for the presidency. The statement doubled down on a pledge of transparency and promised to keep students, staff and faculty updated as decisions unfold. The March 17 post appears on the college's website, according to Cape Cod Community College.
What the outside review found
Glivinski-Saben said the outside investigators concluded Cox did not violate the college's Affirmative Action, Equal Opportunity and Diversity policy. However, they did find that "he did engage in inappropriate and unprofessional conduct toward the complainant that was inconsistent with his role as a College president." She declined to share additional specifics, citing the complainant's privacy and the institution's need to move on, as reported by NBC Boston.
Faculty and student leaders pushed for answers
While the investigation dragged on with little public explanation, faculty leaders and the student newspaper said the board's silence left campus governance stuck in neutral and fueled frustration. The college's internal union filed a notice of concern in early March, pressing for a broad update on the situation and more consistent communication. Union representatives told campus media that the information blackout had complicated day-to-day decision-making. Those tensions and the wider campus reaction were detailed by the MainSheet.
Board's next steps and public disclosure
The board scheduled an open meeting to decide whether to tap an acting or interim president and to formally launch a national search for Cox's permanent successor. Trustees said they would share what they could with the public but stopped short of releasing any personnel conclusions beyond the outside review's basic finding. Local reporting indicates the investigation is now closed and that this is as much as the college plans to disclose, according to NBC Boston.
For now, the sudden exit leaves the small public campus without long-term leadership and has amplified faculty calls for clearer communication around sensitive personnel probes. Trustees say their top priorities are stabilizing operations and completing a full presidential search.
