Texas A&M University President Gen. Mark Welsh resigned Friday following controversy over a professor's dismissal. The professor, Melissa McCoul, was fired after a video surfaced showing a student challenging her children's literature class content on gender identity. The video, shared by Texas Rep. Brian Harrison, sparked political backlash, leading Gov. Greg Abbott and others to call for the professor's dismissal. Welsh also demoted two university officials. While Welsh cited inconsistencies between course content and descriptions, critics decried the actions as an attack on academic freedom.

Prepared by Emily Rhodes and reviewed by editorial team.