Texas A&M’s president is stepping down.
Mark Welsh’s resignation was announced by the A&M system board of regents and chancellor minutes after a special meeting of the board.
Welsh would have completed two years as president in December after serving as dean of A&M’s Bush school of government and public service.
The resignation follows one state lawmaker calling for Welsh to be fired for the way he terminated an English professor and removed the head of the English department and the dean of the college of arts and sciences.
Welsh’s resignation is effective Friday (September 19) at five p.m.
News release from the Texas A&M system:
Chancellor Glenn Hegar and the Texas A&M University System Board of Regents today announced that Mark Welsh will step down from his role as President of Texas A&M University, effective Friday, Sept. 19 at 5 p.m.
Chancellor Hegar thanked General Welsh for his service to the university and the nation, noting his distinguished career as an Air Force pilot and member of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, as well as his leadership in advancing student success, research growth, and community engagement at Texas A&M.
“President Welsh is a man of honor who has led Texas A&M with selfless dedication,” said Chancellor Hegar. “We are grateful for his service and contributions. At the same time, we agree that now is the right moment to make a change and to position Texas A&M for continued excellence in the years ahead.”
Board of Regents Chairman Robert Albritton added: “General Welsh’s legacy of leadership and service is one that the Aggie family will always remember. The Board of Regents is united in ensuring that this transition strengthens the university’s future and keeps Texas A&M true to its mission and values.”
In the coming days, the Board of Regents, will initiate a national search for a permanent president and appoint an interim president to ensure a seamless transition.
Story from the board of regents special meeting:
A special meeting of the Texas A&M system board of regents took place Thursday (September 18).
The agenda did not include a specific reference to the status of A&M president Mark Welsh. One state representative wants Welsh fired over the handling of a professor who was terminated and the removal of the head of the English department and the removal of the dean of the college of arts and sciences. Following multiple social media posts from Texas House member Brian Harrison of Waxahachie, A&M’s student government association posted on their social media a letter supporting Welsh that was sent to the regents and the chancellor.
The meeting agenda did include discussing in private, “personnel matters relating to appointment, employment, evaluation, reassignment, duties, discipline or dismissal of an officer or employee, or to hear complaints or charges against an officer or employee” “including presidents and/or chief executive officers of A&M system institutions”; A&M system office executive level employees; employees reporting directly to the board; and all other employees of the A&M system offices and institutions”.
After the regents first executive session, which lasted 28 minutes, approval was given to officially name the Aplin Center, where construction has just started on the flagship campus. The building’s namesake, Arch Aplin III, is also named for A&M’s new department of hospitality, hotel management, and tourism in the college of Agriculture and Life Sciences, and the department of marketing in the Mays Business School.
Regents also authorized leasing ground at the RELLIS campus to an unidentified party, the board finalized the appointment of Dr. Christopher Maynard as the next president of A&M International in Laredo and named as sole finalist for president at the system’s new university in Victoria, Christian E. Hardigree, J.D.
Regents also approved changing the system’s mission statement, which was read by chairman Bob Albritton of Ft. Worth:
The Texas A&M university system, leading Texas serving the nation by building strong leaders of character and creating economic opportunities through world class education, cutting edge research, and impactful public service.”
After taking action, where there were unanimous votes with no discussion, the regents entered a second executive session.
Regents emerged from a 42 minute executive session by adjourning the meeting without further comment.
Click below to hear the public portion of the September 18, 2025 Texas A&M system board of regents special meeting.
News release from the Texas A&M system naming a sole finalist for the A&M-Victoria campus:
Regents today named Christian E. Hardigree, J.D. as the sole finalist for president of Texas A&M University–Victoria.
“Victoria is an important part of our System’s future,” said Board Chairman Robert L. Albritton. “Christian Hardigree brings a builder’s mindset — growing programs, aligning with workforce needs, and delivering for students and communities. She’s exactly the kind of leader who can help Texas A&M-Victoria thrive along the Coastal Bend and Crossroads.”
Hardigree currently serves as Regional Chancellor of the University of South Florida St. Petersburg campus, where she is a member of the OneUSF executive team overseeing academic programs, operations and a $130 million campus and capital improvement portfolio.
A seasoned higher-education leader and attorney, she has previously served as founding dean of the School of Hospitality at Metropolitan State University of Denver and founding director of the Michael A. Leven School of Culinary Sustainability & Hospitality at Kennesaw State University. She holds a Juris Doctor from Mercer University and a B.S. (cum laude) from the University of Nevada-Las Vegas, and she is a Fulbright Scholar (2024).
“Christian has led complex organizations, raised resources and translated strategy into results. I’m confident she’ll partner with local employers and educators to deliver high-value degrees that open doors for Texas families,” said Chancellor Glenn Hegar.
In accordance with Texas law, the Board of Regents may consider final action on the appointment no sooner than 21 days after naming a sole finalist.
“I am deeply honored to be selected as the sole finalist for president of Texas A&M University–Victoria. This is a pivotal moment for the university, and I am inspired by its mission to advance academic excellence, foster student success and serve as a catalyst for opportunity and economic growth across South Texas,” Hardigree said. “I look forward to working with our students, faculty, staff, alumni, and community partners to elevate the university’s visibility, strengthen its impact, and build a vibrant future together.”
News release from the Texas A&M system finalizing the appointment of the next president at Texas A&M International University:
The Texas A&M University System Board of Regents today voted to appoint Dr. Christopher Maynard as President of Texas A&M International University in Laredo.
“Dr. Maynard is ready to lead Texas A&M International University into a period of smart growth and greater impact,” Board Chairman Robert L. Albritton said. “Dr. Maynard’s track record of elevating student success and forging high-value partnerships will create new opportunities for both students and the region.”
Chancellor Glenn Hegar praised the appointment and the university’s momentum.
“Texas A&M International University changes lives and strengthens Texas every day by educating first-generation students, fueling international commerce and serving a dynamic border economy,” Hegar said. “Dr. Maynard knows how to align strong academic programs with employer demand, grow research that matters locally and globally and build partnerships that open doors for students. I am grateful to Regents Mike Hernandez and John Bellinger and the search advisory committee for their work and to Interim President Juan Castillo for his steady leadership during this transition.”
Under Texas law, regents must name a sole finalist at least 21 days prior to taking final action. Dr. Maynard was named sole finalist on August 28, 2025.
Dr. Maynard currently serves as Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost at the University of Houston–Clear Lake, which enrolls more than 8,000 students. He previously served in academic leadership roles at Sam Houston State University and the University of North Alabama and is a past president of the Texas Council of Chief Academic Officers. At UH–Clear Lake he led successful accreditation reaffirmation, helped more than double sponsored-research funding and launched collaborations such as the Houston Spaceport Consortium for Research, Education and Workforce.
A tenured professor of history, Dr. Maynard holds a Ph.D. and M.A. from Louisiana State University and a B.A., magna cum laude, from Lee University. His book, Out of the Shadow: George H.W. Bush and the End of the Cold War, was published by Texas A&M University Press.
