Texas A&M Committee Reinstates Professor Fired Over Gender Identity Lesson
COLLEGE STATION, TX – A Texas A&M University faculty committee has determined the firing of Professor kathleen McElroy was “not justified” adn recommended her reinstatement, according to a report released Friday. McElroy, a nationally recognized journalism professor, was offered-and subsequently declined-a position at the university earlier this year following conservative backlash over her diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) work.
The committee’s report concludes that McElroy was not offered a contract that aligned with the university’s stated commitment to academic freedom and that external pressures unduly influenced the decision-making process. The controversy ignited a debate over academic freedom and the role of DEI initiatives at the university, prompting investigations by both the faculty senate and the Texas A&M System.
McElroy’s hiring had drawn criticism from conservative groups who scrutinized her public statements on DEI and her work at Columbia University, where she previously served as the Knight Chair in Journalism. concerns centered on her support for increasing diversity in newsrooms and her research on the portrayal of marginalized communities in the media.
According to the faculty committee report, university President Mark A. welsh III and other administrators initially supported McElroy’s hire but ultimately yielded to external pressure. The committee found that the offer extended to McElroy was considerably altered after initial discussions, and that the changes were made in response to the negative feedback.
“The committee believes that the administration’s actions created a perception that external pressures unduly influenced the hiring process, undermining the university’s commitment to academic freedom and the pursuit of excellence,” the report stated.
Welsh had previously defended the initial decision to terminate discussions with McElroy, stating she was not a “good fit” for the university’s culture. He also cited concerns about the alignment of her work with the university’s values.
The committee’s proposal for reinstatement is non-binding, and the final decision rests with university leadership. The report’s release comes as Texas A&M, like many universities across the state, faces increasing scrutiny over its DEI programs and academic freedom policies.Earlier this month, the Texas A&M Regents issued a new policy stating that no academic course “will advocate race or gender ideology, or topics related to sexual orientation or gender identity” unless approved in advance by a campus president.
