On September 8th, 2025 Texas State Representative Brian Harrison went on social media to post a viral video of a Texas A&M University student challenging her professor, Melissa McCoul about the legality of her course’s content of her class when discussing gender identity. As a result, Melissa McCoul, a children’s literature teacher, was terminated from Texas A&M and the Dean of College of Arts and Sciences and the head of the English department were both removed from administrative duties.
In the viral video, the professor is heard mentioning “gender and sexuality” during a class lecture. A student interrupts, questioning whether the material is legal to teach. The student refers to a Trump executive order that recognizes only two fixed sexes and restricts the use of federal funds to “promote gender ideology.” The professor claims that what she is teaching is not illegal and is based on biological nature. She promptly states that if the student is uncomfortable she can leave. The student mentions that she has been documenting her class and had a meeting with the president to make a formal claim after gathering evidence since the summer.
State Rep. Brian Harrison accused the professor of spreading “DEI and LGBTQ indoctrination,” and demanded Governor Greg Abbott to intervene. After the video went viral, the university’s president Mark Welsh decided to have all 12 colleges’ material audited.
Criticism of the video has placed Texas A&M against the wall after Rep. Brian Harrison released further previously unpublished audio from a meeting between Welsh and the student who confronted McCoul. Allegedly, in the recording, Welsh defended both the professor and the material being taught. According to NBC News, the student proposed to Welsh that the professor should be dismissed and Welsh responded, “Well, that’s not happening.”
However, as calls to terminate McCoul increased, Welsh succumbed. He removed the dean of College of Arts and Sciences and the English department head from their positions, citing their approval of material that he said violated the official course description.
As of September 19th, Mark Welsh has stepped down after receiving backlash about how he handled the situation. Lt. Governor Dan Patrick made a statement on X saying “His ambivalence on the issue and his dismissal of the student’s concerns by immediately taking the side of the professor is unacceptable.. Most parents, students, and Aggie alumni expect Texas A&M to reflect the values of our state and our nation as well as A&M’s rich history. If President Welsh will not or cannot reflect those values, then change needs to happen.”
Welsh resigned Friday morning, wishing the University well without addressing the viral video and its controversies. Students expressed their feelings during his farewell as they cheered Welsh on. Madison Bradshaw, who can even be seen crying, states “I’m really disappointed that his signature isn’t going to be on my diploma when I graduate.”
Welsh had been known for his generosity and support for the student body. In January, Welsh had been threatened with termination for Gov. Greg Abbott for inviting students eligible for a PhD to a conference that is made to recruit Black, Hispanic, and indigenous students. The university’s school of business rescinded their invites after backlash from Texan officials.
The nature of the university’s firing of Professor McCoul sparked an uproar from its students, organizations, and faculty. Jonathan Friedman from PEN America stated, “the precipitous firing of this professor on top of the removal of academic leaders makes clear that academic freedom in Texas is under direct attack. This is a dangerous turning point, with higher education being weaponized for political ends rather than being a forum for open and respectful exchange.”
Welsh released a statement in response to the backlash that “this isn’t about academic freedom; it’s about academic responsibility…This is a place that honors academic freedom and academic responsibility. It’s also a place that unequivocally abides by state and federal law.”
Gov. Greg Abbott posted on X calling for the professor’s dismissal and claimed she had acted “in contrary to Texas law.” Yet it remains unclear what law he was citing, as Texas does not currently have a statute prohibiting the teaching of LGBTQ topics in higher education.
In response, McCoul has decided to appeal her termination and pursue further legal action. McCoul’s attorney, Amanda Reichek, said the university claimed she was terminated for refusing to adjust her course content to match the catalog and course descriptions, despite being told repeatedly to do so. Reichek disputed that account, arguing the material was fully consistent within the guidelines and that McCoul was never directed to make changes. She added that McCoul had successfully taught the course for years without issue.
In a statement from the professor’s attorney, she stated, “Dr. McCoul was fired in violation of her constitutional rights, contractual rights, and the academic freedom that was once the hallmark of Texas higher education.”
The controversy surrounding McCoul’s firing has sparked broader questions about academic freedom and the role of political pressure in shaping classroom content. For many students and faculty, the case underscores what higher education is meant to be.
One student said “We go to college to learn about new things and to engage with people and ideas that we might not necessarily have experienced or met growing up, or thought about. That’s why we’re here. Why are you at college if you don’t want to learn new things and engage with topics that are different from what you agree with normally?”