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Pitzer terminates Director of Alumni Programs Justin Baker for conviction of abusive sexual contact

By Sadie Wyatt PZ ’25

Pitzer College fired its Director of Alumni Programs Justin Baker on Oct. 25 following his conviction of abusive sexual contact.

TRIGGER WARNING: MENTION OF SEXUAL VIOLENCE

On Oct. 28, Pitzer College’s Division of Student Affairs (DSA) announced the termination of Justin Baker, Pitzer’s director of alumni programs on Oct. 25, following his conviction of abusive sexual contact in Washington state the day prior.

Baker was arrested in Seattle on March 14, 2024, after sexually harassing and assaulting an 18 year old girl aboard a flight despite her explicit protest. During his three day trial, another woman testified Baker allegedly sexually assaulted her in 2004 when she was 15 while he was working as a youth pastor.

The DSA informed the Pitzer student body of Baker’s termination in an email in which they stated that the college only became aware of his arrest last week when his conviction was made public. In an email to The Outback, Pitzer Communications Director Wendy Shattuck explained how the college never learned about the arrest and subsequent investigation.

“The College was not informed of the March arrest by the employee or by law enforcement, nor were we informed or contacted by attorneys or Department of Justice staff who conducted the criminal investigation and trial,” Shattuck said. “We assume notification was not legally required of any of these parties.”

Shattuck emphasized that while Pitzer runs background checks on all of their employees, they do not repeat them after an employee has been hired. However, they reserve the right to take “action immediately, as Pitzer did, once any form of actionable behavior is known to have taken place.”

She also explained why they did not find Baker’s alleged 2004 sexual assault during his initial background check.

“We have been informed that the 2004 incident did not appear in the [background check] because it did not move forward in the legal system,” Shattuck said.

In their email, the DSA encouraged “anyone with information or awareness of troubling interactions” with Baker to report them to Pitzer’s Title IX office. They also provided students with a list of resources including the “Mental Health and Well-being staff in the Division of Student Affairs and counselors from Monsour Counseling and Psychological Services (MCAPS).”

“Anyone in the Pitzer community needing support is encouraged to contact Christine Guzman, Senior Director of Discrimination, Harassment, and Sexual Misconduct and Title IX; Human Resources; Student Affairs,” the DSA wrote.

During the Oct. 27 Pitzer Student Senate meeting, Assistant Vice President and Dean of Community Life Alayna Session-Goins provided further resources for students.

“If you have a negative interaction with any staff or faculty, please talk to HR, please let our Title IX office know,” Session-Goins said. “We take this very seriously, and I’m really proud that [the College] made a swift decision.”

The following resources are provided for anyone needing support at this time:

  • Pitzer Advocates: pzadvocates@pitzer.edu
  • EmPOWER CENTER 
  • The director of EmPOWER, Rima Shah is a confidential advocate
    • She can meet with students (or their friends) impacted by sexual assault, dating/domestic violence, and stalking
    • To schedule, call (424) 542-8880 or email rshahempower@claremont.edu
  • LAVENDER HEALING COLLECTIVE
  • To schedule, call (424) 542-8880 or complete this form and identify yourself as a “Claremont Colleges student.”
  • Christine Guzman, Senior Director of Discrimination, Harassment, and Sexual Misconduct and Title IX; Human Resources; Student Affairs; or any of the resources below:
  • Christine_Guzman@pitzer.edu: (909) 607-2958, or in-person by appointment at Broad Center Room 212

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