The Latest Breaking News from M Katherine Banks

New Texas A&M president confirmed as university seeks stability

Regents have appointed Susan Ballabina as the new president of Texas A&M

The Independent UK · May 7

Texas A&M President Mark A. Welsh III to step down after a week of turmoil over viral classroom video

Calls for Welsh’s ousting intensified over his handling of a student’s complaints about gender identity discussions in a children’s literature class.

The Texas Tribune · Sep 18, 2025

Students and professors defend Texas A&M President Mark Welsh amid calls for his ousting

Some lawmakers have called for Welsh to be fired over his handling of a student’s complaints about gender identity content being taught in a children’s literature class.

The Texas Tribune · Sep 18, 2025

Top Texas A&M officials were involved in botched recruiting of journalism professor, who will receive $1 million settlement

A new internal report, conducted by the university system’s office of general counsel, also looked into Texas A&M’s decision to temporarily suspend a respected opioids expert after she was accused of criticizing Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick in a lecture.

The Texas Tribune · Aug 3, 2023

Texas A&M interim president pledges more transparency after accusations of political interference

In his first comments as interim president, Mark A. Welsh IIII cast recent concerns over political interference in Texas A&M’s employment decisions as “communication breakdowns.”

The Texas Tribune · Aug 2, 2023

Texas A&M University System regents name Mark Welsh interim president of flagship campus

The board also gave university lawyers the green light to negotiate a possible settlement with Kathleen McElroy after the university bungled the hiring of the journalism professor.

The Texas Tribune · Jul 31, 2023

Texas A&M regents could offer a settlement to the journalism professor at center of hiring controversy

The system’s board also plans to formally appoint an interim president after Katherine Banks resigned last week following news that the school changed its job offer to Kathleen McElroy, a Black journalism professor, after outcries from conservative groups.

The Texas Tribune · Jul 29, 2023

Faculty worry about Texas A&M’s future after controversies over higher ed politicization

The university has been rattled by two cases in which university officials were apparently rushed into making faculty employment decisions due to political pressure.

The Texas Tribune · Jul 27, 2023

For Black Aggies, questions over professor’s botched hiring persist after president’s departure

In the fallout from A&M’s failure to hire Kathleen McElroy, students and alumni lament the missed opportunity to revive the university’s journalism program and provide students with mentorship.

The Texas Tribune · Jul 22, 2023

Race was a factor in Black professor’s failed hiring, Texas A&M department head says

Hart Blanton, the head of the university’s department of communications and journalism, also said then-President M. Katherine Banks interfered with the recruitment of journalist Kathleen McElroy.

The Texas Tribune · Jul 21, 2023