Texas A&M President Mark Welsh Resigns Amid Gender Identity Curriculum Controversy Fallout
Texas A&M President Mark Welsh Resigns Amid Gender Identity Curriculum Controversy Fallout
Texas A&M University President Mark Welsh is stepping down this Friday, a decision that follows intense criticism stemming from a classroom dispute over gender identity curriculum. The controversy escalated after a video surfaced earlier this month, showing a student challenging a professor’s teachings on gender.
Chancellor Glenn Hegar confirmed Welsh’s resignation in a statement, acknowledging Welsh’s dedication while affirming that “now is the right moment to make a change.” The move comes just days after Welsh, on September 9, fired the professor, Melissa McCoul, and demoted two high-ranking officials—the College of Arts and Sciences dean and the head of the English Department—in response to significant political backlash from Texas lawmakers, including Governor Greg Abbott.
The viral video, first posted on X by Texas state Rep. Brian Harrison on September 8, captured the student citing executive orders from President Trump regarding gender and questioning the legality and religious implications of the course content. Welsh previously stated that the professor had been made aware of concerns over the summer regarding course content inconsistent with published descriptions, but changes were not implemented. He emphasized that the issue was about “academic responsibility,” not academic freedom.
McCoul’s attorney has indicated she will appeal her termination, while the incident has sparked debate among education advocates concerning academic freedom on campus.
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