Texas A&M University President Mark A. Welsh III resigns

On Thursday afternoon, Texas A&M University System Chancellor Glenn Hegar announced that Texas A&M University President Mark A. Welsh III will resign, effectively Friday, Sept. 19, at 5 p.m. CT.

This announcement comes after Welsh’s handling of a controversy involving a Children’s Literature class in which a video showed a Texas A&M University student having a disagreement over gender studies curriculum with professor Melissa McCoul.

Texas Representative Brian Harrison said that the student was “kicked out” of the class after objecting to “transgender indoctrination.”

While there were immediate calls to terminate the professor in question, Welsh was recorded telling an upset student, “Well, that’s not happening.”

On Sept. 9, 2025, Welsh moved to terminate McCoul’s employment.

However, calls for investigations into Welsh’s handling of the situation, as well as Texas A&M’s curriculum surrounding LGBT and DEI studies, persisted even after the dean, Mark Zoran, and the head of the affected department, Emily Johansen, were removed from administrative duties.

Earlier this month, Harmeet Dhillon, Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights at the Department of Justice, tweeted that the DOJ would also investigate.

“President Welsh is a man of honor who has led Texas A&M with selfless dedication,” said Chancellor Hegar via a release. “We are grateful for his service and contributions. At the same time, we agree that now is the right moment to make a change and to position Texas A&M for continued excellence in the years ahead.”

A former Chief of Staff of the United States Air Force and Dean of Texas A&M’s Bush School of Government and Public Service, Welsh was made Interim President of Texas A&M University following M. Katherine Banks’ resignation on July 21, 2023. In November that year, Welsh was named the sole finalist to be the university’s full-time president.

Along with the news of Welsh’s resignation, the Texas A&M University System did not appoint an interim president. Instead, a release indicated that the Board will “initiate a national search for a permanent president and appoint an interim president to ensure a seamless transition.”

Whoever succeeds Welsh will become the ninth Texas A&M President — in a full-time or interim capacity — since Robert M. Gates left the position to serve as Secretary of Defense of the United States in December 2006.

The following is a press release from the Texas A&M University System:

COLLEGE STATION, Texas — Chancellor Glenn Hegar and the Texas A&M University System Board of Regents today announced that Mark Welsh will step down from his role as President of Texas A&M University, effective Friday, Sept. 19 at 5 p.m.

Chancellor Hegar thanked General Welsh for his service to the university and the nation, noting his distinguished career as an Air Force pilot and member of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, as well as his leadership in advancing student success, research growth, and community engagement at Texas A&M.

“President Welsh is a man of honor who has led Texas A&M with selfless dedication,” said Chancellor Hegar. “We are grateful for his service and contributions. At the same time, we agree that now is the right moment to make a change and to position Texas A&M for continued excellence in the years ahead.”

Board of Regents Chairman Robert Albritton added: “General Welsh’s legacy of leadership and service is one that the Aggie family will always remember. The Board of Regents is united in ensuring that this transition strengthens the university’s future and keeps Texas A&M true to its mission and values.”

In the coming days, the Board of Regents, will initiate a national search for a permanent president and appoint an interim president to ensure a seamless transition.

About The Texas A&M University System
The Texas A&M University System is one of the largest and most impactful higher education systems in the country, with an annual budget of $8.1 billion. Its statewide network includes 12 universities, a comprehensive health science center, eight state agencies, Texas A&M–Fort Worth and the Texas A&M–RELLIS. The Texas A&M System serves approximately 175,000 students and reaches millions more through service, research and outreach programs each year. With nearly $1.6 billion in annual research expenditures, the A&M System fuels innovation, supports communities and drives Texas’ economy forward.