Nichols College picks interim leader as next president

Image | Courtesy of Nichols College William Pieczynski (pictured) has been named the ninth president of Nichols College.

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By Eric Casey

Six months after former Nichols College President Glenn Sulmasy resigned after a CNN investigation into allegations stemming from his time as an instructor at the U.S. Coast Guard Academy, William Pieczynski has been named the ninth president of the Dudley-based school.

The selection of Pieczynski caps off a half-year long search by the Nichols College Board of Trustees for the next leader of the university. Pieczynski was named interim president of the college in October, following Sulmasy’s resignation. Pieczynski became affiliated with Nichols in 2006 when he was named director of the Nichols Fund, the school’s fundraising arm.

"We are thrilled that Bill has accepted our invitation to assume the presidency of Nichols College," Randall Becker, chair of the Board of Trustees and a Nichols graduate, said in the Tuesday press release announcing the selection of Pieczynski. "Bill has led Nichols through a period of transition with deft skill and unquestionable success. He is a natural leader, a man of great character, and cares deeply about Nichols and its extended community. He is uniquely qualified to harness the college's recent momentum and continue the upward trajectory that now ranks Nichols among the national leaders in salary potential and return on investment."

Nichols cited Pieczynski’s ability to secure contributions to support new building projects and other endeavors on campus as one of his achievements during his interim appointment. Nichols received a $1-million dollar donation from an anonymous donor to support the school’s data science initiatives in January.

In addition to being the acting president, Pieczynski had held the title of vice president for advancement since 2010 at the school.

"To lead Nichols College is a tremendous honor, and I am excited to assume the presidency at such a pivotal time in this institution's long and storied history," Pieczynski said in the press release. "We offer something special at Nichols - a highly relevant, hands-on education that prepares students for lives of meaning, purpose and success after graduation."

Pieczynski is a graduate of Catawba College in North Carolina with bachelor's degrees in business and history, according to his LinkedIn profile.

Founded in 1815, Nichols College had a total 2023 fall enrollment of 1,265.