A member of the Blinn College leadership team resigns after the discovery of a criminal conviction in Brazos County district court that has been dismissed.
In response to an open records request by WTAW News, Marie Kirby worked at Blinn from June of 2008 until November 19th, when the former vice chancellor of human resources agreed to resign at the request of chancellor Mary Hensley. There is no separation agreement between Kirby and Blinn. And the H-R vice chancellor’s position has been eliminated. The human resources office now reports to the vice chancellor for business and finance.
A Blinn spokesman tells WTAW News that Kirby agreed to resign five days after the college received an inquiry by KBTX television. KBTX reported Kirby was hired by Blinn two years after completing probation for burglary of a building to commit sexual assault. That was part of a plea agreement where two felony charges of sexual assault of a child were dropped. After completing probation, the conviction was dismissed.
A Blinn spokesman tells WTAW News that their criminal background check from 2008 on Kirby is no longer available due to complying with by state law. And Kirby’s job application indicated no prior criminal convictions.
In response to an open records request by WTAW News, Kirby was Blinn’s vice chancellor for human resources for more than five years. From February of 2025 to when she resigned, Kirby had oversight over the college’s compliance with the federal Title IX program which prohibits sex-based discrimination in education programs and activities that receive federal funding. A Blinn spokesman told WTAW News that day to day management of Title IX for several years has been done by the same coordinator who was chosen by the board of trustees, appeals goes to another vice chancellor, and “Marie Kirby had no involvement in student Title IX cases.”
Blinn’s response to our open records request showed Kirby spent her first five years as HR manager, followed by two years as HR director, five years as HR assistant vice president and assistant vice chancellor, and her last five years as HR vice chancellor.
Statement from Blinn College:
Following receipt of an inquiry on Friday, November 14, 2025, from KBTX regarding Marie Kirby, Blinn College’s leadership promptly reviewed and evaluated the circumstances surrounding Ms. Kirby’s employment and allegations relating to her history. On November 19, 2025, Chancellor Mary Hensley asked Ms. Kirby to resign. Ms. Kirby resigned effective November 20, 2025.
Marie Kirby’s employment
In June 2008, Marie Kirby was hired by Blinn College in a human resources manager role. Prior to working at Blinn, she worked in human resources between 1999 and 2008 and received excellent references. Ms. Kirby’s job application indicated no prior criminal convictions, and it did not indicate prior employment in a Texas school district.
In 2008, Blinn’s job application asked applicants whether they have been convicted of a felony or misdemeanor. Blinn also performed background checks, including criminal history checks. Because the individuals in College leadership from 2008 no longer work at Blinn College, the College is unable to provide additional specific information regarding the procedures used at that time. In addition, as required by the Texas Government Code, Section 411.094, Blinn College does not maintain records of criminal history checks performed in 2008 and therefore is not in a position to comment on the results of a background check performed at that time.
Because this is a personnel matter, the College is unable to provide further comment.
Current policies and procedures relating to employment candidates
Blinn’s current job application asks applicants whether they have been convicted of a felony or misdemeanor. If the applicant responds yes, the applicant is asked to describe the facts and circumstances. In addition, Blinn’s practice is to perform a criminal background check before hiring any individual. If a criminal background check reveals an offense, Blinn will conduct an individualized assessment of the facts and circumstances.
Consistent with federal EEOC guidelines, Blinn will evaluate whether the information indicates a lack of fitness for the position and will consider such factors as whether the alleged conduct is job related, whether excluding the applicant is consistent with business necessity, the amount of time that has passed, and the employee’s work history since the alleged offense.
Blinn College takes very seriously its responsibility to ensure compliance with applicable laws, policies, and employment standards and to ensure all employees are qualified and suitable for their positions.
Title IX Compliance at Blinn College
Blinn College’s Title IX program has been managed for several years by Dr. Adrienne McCain. Blinn’s Board of Trustees specifically designated Dr. McCain as Blinn’s Title IX Coordinator in official policy. The department includes two investigators who report to Dr. McCain. Title IX personnel are trained to provide fair, impartial, and sensitive investigations that comply with all legal requirements. See the following for more information about the student Title IX process:
- https://www.blinn.edu/title-ix/policies-and-procedures.html
- https://www.blinn.edu/title-ix/pdf/title-ix-process-flow-chart.pdf
- https://pol.tasb.org/PolicyOnline/PolicyDetails?key=1204&code=FFDA#localTabContent
Under Board Policy, the appeal officer in student Title IX cases is Vice Chancellor of Student Services, Dr. Becky McBride. Marie Kirby had no involvement in student Title IX cases.
“We are strongly committed to providing our students with an educational experience that is safe and free from harassment,” said Dr. Hensley. “Our Title IX team, led by Dr. Adrienne McCain, along with our counseling and students service personnel, provide our students with resources and impartial investigations in the event of any type of Title IX concern.”
Information Blinn College provided through an open records request by WTAW News:
Dates and titles of each position held by Marie Kirby
• 06/16/2008- Manager Human Resources
• 04/17/2013- Director Human Resources
• 09/01/2015- Assistant Vice President Human Resources
• 07/01/2017- Assistant Vice Chancellor Human Resources
• 07/01/2020- Vice Chancellor Human Resources
• 02/17/2025- Vice Chancellor Human Resources, Title IX, Resource Development, Institutional Research and Effectiveness
• 05/12/2025- Vice Chancellor Human Resources, Title IX
• Marie Kirby resigned effective November 20, 2025.
WTAW News also learned through our open records request that the position of vice chancellor of human resources has been eliminated. The human resources office now reports to Dr. Clen Burton, Vice Chancellor, Business and Finance/CFO.
And no separation agreement exists between Marie Kirby and Blinn College.