Texas A&M President Mark Welsh Resigns Amid Gender Curriculum Controversy

Mark A. Welsh III, president of Texas A&M University, announced he will step down following controversy surrounding a children's literature course that included LGBTQ+ and gender-related content. The backlash intensified after a viral video showed a student disputing the course's teachings with a professor, Melissa McCoul, who was subsequently fired amid pressure from Republican officials including Governor Greg Abbott and state lawmakers. Welsh acknowledged that the course content did not align with the university's expectations or course descriptions, framing his decision to step down as part of a needed leadership transition to uphold the institution's core values and future excellence. Texas A&M Chancellor Glenn Hegar praised Welsh's service but agreed it was the right moment for change to position the university for continued innovation and commitment to its mission. The controversy has sparked broader debates about academic freedom and gender ideology in education, with McCoul's attorney asserting her termination violated constitutional rights and vowing to appeal. The university is conducting a national search for Welsh's replacement while appointing an interim leader to guide the flagship campus.