HCC teacher, former host of 'Bone Detectives' admits to inflating resume

Professor Scotty Moore: 'It's actually extraordinarily shameful to me'

HOUSTON – A popular local professor and the former host of a Discovery Channel TV series admitted to KPRC that he inflated his resume and regrets doing so.

“In a community of scholars, we pride ourselves on our academic integrity, and I haven't shown that recently,” Professor Scotty Moore said by phone.

Moore teaches archaeology at Houston Community College and is the former host of the show “Bone Detectives.”

Moore claimed on a version of his resume on the HCC “Learning Web” internet site that he had received a PhD from the University of Washington, but KPRC was unable to verify the degree and Moore later admitted he had not yet earned a doctorate.

Moore was recently nominated by his peers to lead HCC’s Honors College.

After the revelation, it was not yet clear if Moore would still assume the position.

“At this particular time, we are dealing with it as a personnel matter, and as such, we will not comment,” said Janet May, HCC Chief Human Resources Officer.

May said all of HCC’s employees undergo background checks as well as education and employment history verification before they are hired.

It is not clear at what point Moore started claiming he had a PhD.

HCC students at the main campus, near downtown, were disappointed to hear such a well-regarded professor had not been truthful about his own educational achievements.

“If our professors are telling us that they’re something that they're not, then why are they expecting us to be honest with them?” said a student, who wished to remain anonymous.

Moore told Channel 2 by phone that he is under investigation by HCC.

Online, Moore’s resume has been updated to reflect he does not have a PhD. The new resume also includes changes to some of his job titles, and dates worked.

“It’s actually extraordinarily shameful to me,” Moore said.

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