A college president suddenly retired after an investigation found he developed an obsessive and inappropriate relationship with a student.
John Cox, 63, stepped down as president of Cape Cod Community College in March following an external probe into his behavior toward a 23-year-old female student he initially intended to mentor.
The findings were first reported by the Boston Globe, which obtained a copy of the report - not publicly released by the college - and verified it with individuals involved.
Investigators said Cox ‘demonstrated a gross lack of judgment’ and engaged in an ‘ongoing pattern of inappropriate and excessive contact’ that went ‘far outside’ a typical academic relationship.
Between December 2024 and June 2025, Cox and the student exchanged about 2,500 texts, 200 emails and 17 handwritten letters, often written in purple ink. He also contacted her family and romantic partner and left gifts at her home and in her car.
After about six months, the student requested to ‘take a step back’ to focus on her mental health and studies.
Cox replied with a broken heart emoji and later asked a colleague for a ‘bulletproof’ beekeeping suit that could ‘withstand arrows at the heart.’
The employee he contacted, Maura Weir, was later placed on paid administrative leave after failing to report his behavior to college leadership despite the student asking for a 'verbal no contact order.'
John Cox, 63, stepped down as president of Cape Cod Community College in March following an external probe into his behavior toward a 23-year-old female student he wanted to mentor
Cox was the president of Cape Cod Community College from 2012 until he retired in the middle of march following the controversy
Between December 2024 and June 2025, Cox and the student exchanged about 2,500 texts, 200 emails and 17 handwritten letters, often written in purple ink
However, he continued pursuing contact, leading her to hide from him on campus and suffer panic attacks, insomnia and anxiety, investigators found.
Cox also provided ‘material benefits’ not afforded to other students, including recommending her for a $4,000 welding scholarship, spending hours advocating for her with a former employer and creating networking opportunities for her and her partner.
He supported her partner’s short-lived campus espresso bar, costing about $15,000, and backed a beekeeping project tied to her interests, costing about $3,950.
He also visited the student in the hospital and entered her room without notice, leaving her vulnerable as she was only wearing a hospital gown and in immense pain
Investigators said his conduct was ‘detrimental’ to her academic experience and mental health but did not meet the threshold for sexual harassment, concluding it stemmed from a misguided mentorship.
Cox had been on paid leave for months before informing the board on March 16 that he would retire immediately, with most of the campus unaware of the reason.
His lawyer, Kenneth Tashjy, said Cox chose to step down after 14 years to help the college ‘move forward’ following the investigation.
Board chair Tammy Glivinski-Saben said the probe, launched over potential policy violations, found Cox did not breach affirmative action or equal opportunity rules but did engage in ‘inappropriate and unprofessional conduct’ inconsistent with his role.
Officials said they are now working to implement reforms and strengthen oversight after the controversy.