Accused of sexual harassment, SFCC acting president Darren Pitcher resigns

Darren Pitcher resigned as acting president of Spokane Falls Community College earlier this week in the middle of a sexual harassment investigation, a spokeswoman has confirmed to the Inlander.

"What I can say is there was an investigation underway, but the investigation was suspended when we received Dr. Pitcher's letter of resignation," says Carolyn Casey, public information officer for Community Colleges of Spokane.

Casey confirmed that the investigation was for alleged sexual harassment, but she would not reveal any other details of the investigation, including how long the investigation had been underway or how many complaints had been made about Pitcher's behavior.

Casey noted that in Pitcher's letter of resignation, which he submitted earlier this week, he wrote that he wanted to have more time to take care of himself. CCS has not released his letter of resignation.

Since the investigation was suspended upon Casey's resignation, no finding of sexual harassment had been made, Casey says.

Pitcher took over as acting president in May, after former president Janet Gullickson resigned to take a job in Virginia. He had worked for Spokane Falls Community College since 2012. Pitcher's role as president was to be temporary while the college conducted a nationwide search for its next president. His resignation means he will not return to his former role as vice president of student services.

Nancy Fair-Szofran will serve as acting president now, as the nationwide search for a new leader continues. She is the Community Colleges of Spokane provost and chief learning officer. Interviews for candidates will begin in March, the college says.

"I have great confidence in Dr. Szofran's leadership and ability to ensure the excellent student-focused work at SFCC continues uninterrupted during this transition," says CCS Chancellor Christine Johnson, in a news release.