The president of Texas A&M University stepped down after a heated argument regarding a professor’s approach to teaching gender in a children’s literature class garnered widespread attention.
Mark Welsh’s resignation went into effect on Sept. 19 at 5 p.m.
“President Welsh is a person of integrity who has led Texas A&M with unwavering commitment,” stated university Chancellor Glenn Hegar. “We appreciate his service and contributions. Nevertheless, we believe it’s the appropriate time to initiate change to ensure Texas A&M continues to excel in the future.”
The issue arose when a viral video showed a student challenging a professor about acknowledging more than two genders in a lesson.
The student argued that the lesson violated an executive order by President Donald Trump, which officially recognized only two genders and banned federal funding for “gender ideology” promotions.
The professor, later identified as Melissa McCoul, told the student the lesson was not illegal and that the student was free to leave.
McCoul was later fired.
As the video gained widespread attention, Welsh took action by dismissing Emily Johansen, head of the university’s English Department, and Mark Zoran, dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, for supporting content seen as misaligned with the course’s stated objectives.
McCoul received a dismissal notice stating that her teaching approach did not match the approved course guidelines and that she had not adjusted her lessons accordingly.
Through her lawyer, McCoul has disputed those allegations, saying she was never told to change her course.
The university’s Board of Regents will appoint an interim president in the coming days as a search for a permanent president begins.
