College Station, September 11, 2025
News Summary
Texas A&M University has terminated Professor Melissa McCoul after a classroom discussion on gender identity led to widespread controversy and administrative changes. The decision followed a viral video where a student questioned the legality of the topic, prompting action from the university’s leadership. Along with McCoul’s firing, the head of the English department and the responsible dean were also dismissed. The university has initiated an audit of courses across its 12 campuses, drawing attention from state and federal authorities regarding academic freedom and curriculum management.
College Station — Texas A&M University has fired a professor after controversy erupted over classroom discussion of gender identity, prompting administrative removals, an institutional audit and potential legal challenges.
Key development
The university terminated the employment of Melissa McCoul, an instructor who taught a children’s literature course that included material on gender identity. The action followed the circulation of a video that showed a classroom exchange in which a student questioned the legality of discussing gender identity, citing an executive order. The professor responded that the material was not illegal and directed the student to raise concerns with higher authorities before asking the student to leave the class.
Immediate institutional actions
Texas A&M President Mark Welsh announced the professor’s termination and said the course content did not align with its approved catalog descriptions. The university also removed the head of the English department, Emily Johansen, and the relevant dean, Mark Zoran, from their posts for approving the course content. University leadership has launched an audit of courses across its 12 campuses to verify consistency between course curricula and catalog descriptions.
Video and political response
The widely-shared video was posted by Republican state representative Brian Harrison and generated immediate pressure from state-level politicians. Texas Governor Greg Abbott and several conservative lawmakers publicly urged the university to take action following the video’s release, according to accounts of the response.
Legal and external interest
The incident has drawn attention from state and federal authorities. The U.S. Department of Justice Civil Rights Division has indicated interest in the matter. The professor’s attorney, Amanda Reichek, contends that her client’s course content was consistent with approved descriptions and asserts that the firing raises constitutional and academic freedom concerns. The attorney confirmed plans to appeal the termination and to evaluate possible legal action.
Context and prior controversies
The case comes amid earlier scrutiny of Texas A&M’s handling of LGBTQ-related programs and services. In the past year, the university closed its LGBTQ+ Pride Center and suspended transition-related medical care for transgender students. A federal judge recently blocked a university policy that would have banned drag shows at campus venues, citing potential First Amendment implications. Separately, an undergraduate student discovered hundreds of LGBTQ-related books being discarded at a university surplus property site.
Responses from faculty and advocacy groups
Faculty members and advocacy organizations have criticized the university’s actions as a threat to academic freedom and open inquiry. National and academic free-speech groups have publicly questioned the process used to review and remove the instructor and administrators involved in the course.
Wider implications
Observers describe the episode as part of a broader national discussion about the balance between institutional oversight, curricular transparency and academic freedom, particularly on topics related to gender identity and LGBTQ rights. The university has emphasized transparency for students and consistency with official course descriptions as its rationale for the administrative changes and the campus-wide audit.
What happens next
The university audit of courses across all campuses is ongoing. The professor has signaled intent to appeal the termination through university and possibly legal channels. Federal interest in the case may lead to further review of whether civil rights or constitutional protections apply. Meanwhile, the controversy has intensified scrutiny of how public universities handle curriculum decisions in politically sensitive areas.
Background: timeline of related university actions
- Closure of the university’s LGBTQ+ Pride Center in the past year.
- Suspension of transition-related medical care for transgender students.
- Discovery of discarded LGBTQ-related books at a surplus property site.
- A federal judge’s temporary blocking of a campus drag show ban on First Amendment grounds.
- Recent administrative removals and a campus-wide audit following a viral classroom video.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was fired by Texas A&M?
The instructor removed from her teaching position is Melissa McCoul, a professor who taught a children’s literature course that included discussion of gender identity.
Why did the university terminate the professor?
The university stated that the course content did not match the approved course catalog description, and the decision followed a viral classroom video and public pressure from state officials.
Were other administrators affected?
Yes. The head of the English department, Emily Johansen, and the dean responsible for the course, Mark Zoran, were removed from their administrative posts for approving the course content.
Is there an investigation or review?
Texas A&M announced an audit of courses across its 12 campuses to ensure course content aligns with official catalog descriptions. Federal and state authorities have also shown interest in the situation.
Will the firing be appealed?
The professor’s attorney has indicated plans to appeal the termination and to explore potential legal action, citing academic freedom and constitutional concerns.
How does this fit into the university’s recent actions on LGBTQ issues?
This incident follows several university actions affecting LGBTQ programs and services, including the closure of the Pride Center, suspension of transition-related care, and a separate legal challenge over a ban on drag shows.
Key features and current status
| Feature | Status | Progress / Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Professor termination | Completed |
90% |
| Department and dean removals | Completed |
80% |
| Course audit (12 campuses) | Underway |
40% |
| Legal appeals | Planned |
20% |
| Federal review (DOJ interest) | Active interest |
30% |
| Campus policy changes on LGBTQ services | Recent changes |
70% |
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Texas A&M University Sparks Controversy Over Gender Studies Course
Additional Resources
- NBC News
- Wikipedia: Gender Identity
- Statesman
- Google Search: Texas A&M University gender identity
- CBS Austin
- Google Scholar: Texas A&M University gender identity
- Fox 44 News
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Gender Identity
- Associated Press
- Google News: Texas A&M University news
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