Texas A&M Fires Professor After Student Ousted Over Gender Ideology Dispute

COLLEGE STATION, Texas (Sept. 10, 2025) - Texas A&M University has terminated English lecturer Melissa McCoul after she removed a student from a children’s literature class for objecting to discussions of gender identity and sexual orientation.

Nut Graf The abrupt firing underscores mounting tensions over curricular content on gender and LGBTQ+ topics at public universities. University leadership says McCoul’s teaching deviated from the official course description, breaching trust with students and state guidelines.

Firing Follows Classroom Confrontation

  • During a children’s literature lecture, McCoul confronted a student who refused to participate in material on queer themes, insisting the content was “illegal” and contrary to religious beliefs. McCoul directed the student to leave after asserting her “legal and ethical authority” to teach the material.
  • State Rep. Brian Harrison publicized video clips of the incident, intensifying pressure on campus officials.

University Response and Leadership Changes

  • President Mark Welsh announced he personally ordered McCoul’s dismissal “effective immediately,” citing repeated instances of course content misalignment with the published catalog.
  • Welsh also removed the college’s dean and department head from administrative posts after finding continued noncompliance with course descriptions despite prior warnings.

Political Backdrop and Broader Implications

  • Governor Greg Abbott had called for McCoul’s firing on social media, accusing her of violating Texas law by promoting “gender ideology” in a required course.
  • Advocates for academic freedom warn that the move could chill faculty discussions on gender and sexuality in higher education, while conservative lawmakers praise the decision as upholding state standards.

Looking Ahead

Texas A&M says it will review all children’s literature offerings to ensure strict adherence to catalog descriptions and legal requirements. Students affected by the course content dispute were offered alternative pathways to complete the class.