ITHACA, N.Y. -- Ithaca College President Shirley Collado is again facing questions about past accusations of sexual abuse from nearly 20 years ago.

Last spring, as part of her introduction to campus, Collado participated in an interview in which she detailed her side of the story. According to Collado, at the time, her husband committed suicide and she was on a leave of absence as a trauma therapist in Washington D.C. Collado said she took a former patient in because she needed help, but told the woman she couldn't stay after realizing she couldn't provide her support.

She said that's when the allegations began.

Due to her situation at the time and with a lawyer's advice, Collado pleaded no contest to one count of misdemeanor sexual abuse. She had to complete probation and community service.

But after some people on social media raised the incident this month and questioned her ability to lead the school, Collado found herself answering for her past.

In a statement on Tuesday, Collado said she is upset that she has to relive that pain.

Dozens of students on campus did not want to comment, but those who did say they support their president.

“Obviously it makes it hard right now because we had a lot of high expectations for the president,” said Ithaca College student Taulant Gashi. “But I think still nothing personally has changed. I think it’s something that the Board of Trustees and is as students knew about it and we fully have confidence and we believe in her leadership as well as the future of this college.”

Some students said that because Collado was upfront, it makes this particular situation a different from other national cases of sexual abuse and harassment. Many students said any sexual abuse allegation should be judged on a case-by-case basis.

Collado said she discussed the incident with the Ithaca College Board of Trustees and presidential search committee during her candidacy.

The Board of Trustees also wrote a message, reiterating their full support for Collado.