College Station, Texas, September 12, 2025
News Summary
Texas A&M University has terminated senior lecturer Melissa McCoul after a video from a children’s literature class sparked political backlash regarding gender identity content. The university’s president announced her firing alongside the removals of the dean of the College of Arts and Sciences and the department head. This decision comes amid audits and political scrutiny over course content and adherence to academic standards, with broader implications for faculty freedom and university operations.
College Station, Texas
Texas A&M fires senior lecturer after classroom video sparks political backlash
Texas A&M University has fired senior lecturer Melissa McCoul following a viral classroom recording that showed a confrontation in a children’s literature course over gender identity content. University leadership also removed the dean of the College of Arts and Sciences and the department head after the incident, ordered a systemwide audit of courses, and said further reviews are underway amid political and legal pressure.
Key actions and immediate fallout
University President Mark A. Welsh III announced McCoul’s termination and the removal of Mark Zoran, dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, and Emily Johansen, the department head, citing concerns about course content and adherence to approved syllabi. Texas A&M System Chancellor Glenn Hegar directed a full audit of university courses, with plans to extend the review across all schools in the A&M System.
The university’s board of regents stated that it would not tolerate actions that damage institutional reputation. State-level Republican lawmakers amplified the dispute, and the incident prompted scrutiny from the U.S. Department of Justice. Calls for broader investigations were reported by several lawmakers aligned with the political right.
What happened in the classroom
A circulating video recorded during a children’s literature class captured an exchange between McCoul and a student over teaching that more than two genders exist. The student objected to the lesson, citing a presidential executive order and the student’s personal religious beliefs as reasons for disagreement. The professor maintained she had the right to present the material and that students could leave if they were uncomfortable.
Administration response and reasons given
University leaders said the course content did not comply with clear course instructions and strayed from advertised descriptions, which they described as essential for student decision-making. Chancellor Hegar characterized the inclusion of the contested material as inconsistent with approved course objectives and said faculty should not use class time to advance personal political agendas.
President Welsh had previously indicated in another video that firing McCoul was not planned, but later reversed that stance amid mounting pressure from lawmakers and public attention. University officials framed the personnel changes and audits as steps to protect institutional standards and ensure course content aligns with catalog descriptions.
Legal and faculty reactions
An attorney representing McCoul stated that the contested course content was consistent with the university catalog description and indicated potential legal action to challenge the termination. Faculty members and advocates for free expression criticized the university’s actions as undermining academic freedom and due process, arguing that administrative responses risk chilling classroom discussion.
Political supporters of the administrative decisions emphasized protecting students and institutional reputation. Critics warned that punitive measures taken in response to political pressure can damage higher education’s role in presenting diverse perspectives and conducting open inquiry.
Political context and wider implications
State Representative Brian Harrison circulated the classroom video and other material, characterizing the classroom content as ideological indoctrination. Harrison has previously opposed diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives at the university. The controversy has intensified debates over university autonomy, curriculum oversight, and the boundaries of acceptable classroom material.
Legal context matters: a Texas law that bans instruction on sexual orientation and gender identity applies to K-12 public schools but does not extend to public universities, leaving higher education institutions governed by different policies and academic standards.
Next steps
The A&M System audit will review whether course content aligns with approved descriptions and whether faculty followed stated learning objectives. The Department of Justice review and potential legal challenges from the fired professor could determine whether university actions complied with employment rules and academic due process. The case is likely to influence ongoing debates on governance, curriculum oversight, and the limits of political influence on university operations.
FAQ
Why was the professor fired?
The professor was fired after a video of a classroom exchange went viral and university leaders concluded the course included material that did not align with approved course instructions and advertised descriptions.
Who else was removed by the university?
The university removed the dean of the College of Arts and Sciences and the department head responsible for the course, stating those administrators approved the contested course content.
Will there be a review of other courses?
The Texas A&M System announced a full audit of courses and plans to extend the review to all schools within the system to assess alignment with catalog descriptions and course objectives.
Is the K-12 state law banning certain gender and sexual orientation instruction relevant to this case?
No. The Texas law restricting instruction on sexual orientation and gender identity applies to K-12 public schools and does not apply to public universities such as Texas A&M.
Are there legal challenges expected?
An attorney for the professor indicated that the fired faculty member may pursue legal action, arguing that course content matched the catalog description and raising questions about due process and academic freedom.
How have faculty and free expression advocates reacted?
Many faculty and advocates expressed concern that the university’s response undermines academic freedom, due process, and open classroom discussion, while others supported decisive action to align courses with stated objectives.
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Primary event | Firing of senior lecturer after viral classroom video about gender identity content |
| Additional personnel actions | Removal of dean and department head responsible for the course |
| Administrative response | Systemwide audit of courses and review of compliance with catalog descriptions |
| Political involvement | State lawmakers amplified the issue; video circulated by a state representative with prior opposition to diversity initiatives |
| Legal and oversight scrutiny | Potential legal action by the professor’s attorney and reported review by the U.S. Department of Justice |
| Relevance of K-12 law | State K-12 restriction on gender and orientation instruction does not apply to universities |
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Texas A&M Fires Professor Amid Gender Identity Controversy
Texas A&M University Sparks Controversy Over Gender Studies Course
Additional Resources
- Dallas Voice: Texas A&M Fires Professor Over Gender Identity Content
- NBC DFW: TAMU Dean & Department Head Fired Over Gender Identity Content
- Houston Chronicle: Texas A&M Indoctrination Video Incident
- Dallas News: Texas A&M Professor Fired Over Gender Identity Content
- Dallas Express: Texas A&M Keeps Woke Course Offerings
- Wikipedia: Texas A&M University
- Google Search: Texas A&M University gender identity
- Google Scholar: Texas A&M University academic freedom
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Texas A&M University
- Google News: Texas A&M University firing professor
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