Texas A&M President Kathy Banks Retires Amid Hiring Controversy; Dean Mark Welsh Named Acting President

In a surprising turn of events, Texas A&M University President M. Katherine Banks has announced her immediate retirement, following a recent hiring controversy. Chancellor John Sharp, in response, has named Dean Mark A. Welsh III as the acting President, effective immediately.

The controversy stemmed from the mishandling of the hiring of Dr. Kathleen McElroy, a University of Texas professor, former New York Times journalist, and Texas A&M University graduate. In June, the university announced the hiring of McElroy to lead the journalism program, but the situation turned complicated when the job offer was altered from a tenure-eligible position to a one-year professor of practice appointment, with the option for renewal.

The Faculty Senate intervened by passing a resolution to establish a fact-finding committee to investigate the matter further. During the Senate meeting, President Banks denied having knowledge of the changes to the job offer but took responsibility for the flawed hiring process. National media coverage fueled speculations that Dr. McElroy was subjected to "anti-woke" hysteria and external interference in the faculty hiring process, given her research on diversity and inclusion.

Moreover, Texas public universities are currently undergoing changes to eliminate offices of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion due to recent state legislation.

In her resignation letter to Chancellor Sharp, President Banks expressed her decision to retire immediately, stating that the negative press surrounding the controversy has become a distraction from the institution's commendable work.

Dr. Banks, who had served as the 26th president of Texas A&M University for two years, previously held the position of Vice Chancellor and Dean of Engineering at the university. Under her leadership, the university's achievements included managing the Los Alamos National Laboratory, pioneering the EnMed program that trains engineers to become medical doctors, and overseeing significant enrollment growth at the nation's largest engineering school.

Chancellor Sharp expressed gratitude for Dr. Banks' years of service and appointed Dean Mark Welsh as the acting president until the Board of Regents can convene to appoint an Interim President. Chancellor Sharp recommends Welsh continue as Interim President until a national search can identify Dr. Banks' successor. 

Welsh, a retired Air Force general, currently serves as the Dean of the Bush School of Government and Public Service.

The Texas A&M University System, one of the nation's largest systems of higher education, with a budget of $7.2 billion, operates a comprehensive network of 11 universities, a health science center, eight state agencies, and the RELLIS Campus. Educating over 152,000 students and making over 24 million additional educational contacts through outreach programs annually, the Texas A&M System plays a pivotal role in driving the state's economy with research and development expenditures exceeding $1 billion.