Texas A&M Chancellor Glenn Hegar on Culture Wars and the System's Future

The New Chancellor and the Challenges Ahead

Glenn Hegar leaned forward in his seat on a bumpy plane ride from College Station to Victoria, a picture of confidence after years of flying in small aircrafts on state business. A gold Aggie ring glinted as he gestured with his right hand. The new chancellor of the Texas A&M University System was traveling to a Sept. 4 community event at a recently acquired university, where he agreed to an interview that, at one point, shifted to the changing tides in higher education.

The pendulum swings, the 54-year-old said, but the constant is that people want an education and need to be skilled for the workforce. Universities have to "right size" their offerings to ensure they're providing that service, however, and the "vast majority" of people don't want their teachers to insert personal opinions in the classroom, he said.

Still, Hegar said he didn't see a larger problem at the Texas A&M System's 12 universities, despite the occasional "buzzword" on a syllabus or school website. "The reality is the Texas A&M University System is right there doing its job, which is providing quality education to their students," the politician-turned-college administrator said. "And do you have one person here or there, maybe somewhere in 165,000 students, 28,000 employees? … There's going to be somebody somewhere."

A Controversial Video and Its Impact

The next two weeks put Hegar to the test when a leaked video went viral, showing an A&M student questioning a professor's discussion of gender identity in a children's literature class. Not even four months into the chancellor's tenure, the culture wars thrust the system's flagship to the center of a national spotlight. The U.S. Justice Department's civil rights division said it would look into the matter, and Gov. Greg Abbott and Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick demanded action at the College Station campus.

Aggies split between those who feared an end to academic freedom, and others outraged at the course topic and at the school's initial response to the student's concerns. Speech-related backlash after the fatal shooting of conservative activist Charlie Kirk at Utah Valley University escalated accusations of unchecked liberal bias on college campuses.

Hegar - a former Republican lawmaker skilled at avoiding tangles in the Capitol - got in front of the issue on social media. He quickly labeled the professor's lesson as "indoctrination," commended a decision to fire her and announced a forthcoming audit of all courses across the system. All the while, calls mounted on Hegar and the governor's appointed Board of Regents to fire Texas A&M University President Mark A. Welsh III, who was popular among students and faculty though he battled a persisting narrative of being friendly to "diversity, equity and inclusion" efforts. With the controversy not fading, the chancellor faced a different kind of turbulence.

He announced Welsh's resignation last week. "Both the Board of Regents and I agree that this is the right moment for change," Hegar said on Sept. 18. "Together, we believe this transition is necessary to ensure Texas A&M is well positioned for the future, a future that demands bold leadership, continued innovation, and an unwavering commitment to the core values of this university to meet the challenges we face."

A Political 'Animal' in Charge

The system reportedly considered a state representative, a U.S. representative, a former University of Alabama president and the Texas A&M Foundation president in its search for a new chancellor after John Sharp retired from 14 years in the position. The Board of Regents went with Hegar, who has deep connections from 20-plus years in Texas politics and experience running a massive budget.

For the last decade in the state comptroller's office, Hegar gave regular assessments of the Texas economy and budget to the Legislature and public. When Hegar became chancellor in June, he took on the role of CEO at the A&M System, with a primary aim of securing state funding for programs, staffing and other initiatives at all of its member institutions.

The Influence of Politics on Higher Education

Political scientists say it's key to have a chancellor who is comfortable with lawmakers, but the other side of the coin is that the Legislature can put them in tough situations by leveraging money for compliance with policy that may not be supported by people on campus. "The Board is confident that Glenn Hegar is ready to usher in the next era of excellence at The Texas A&M University System," then-Chairman Bill Mahomes said after they announced the selection in March. "Hegar grasps the unique breadth and depth of the System's impact on every corner of Texas."

Hegar's hiring nonetheless stunned many in Austin, partly because of what it meant to give up statewide elected office. Chris Bryan, who followed Hegar to the A&M System, said he believed his boss was realistically on a short list of four or five people who could have eventually moved to the role of governor. (Hegar was first elected state representative in 2003, state senator in 2007 and comptroller in 2015.)

A New Era for Texas Higher Education

As the political landscape continues to shift, the influence of former politicians in higher education roles is becoming more prominent. Hegar, like others before him, brings a unique blend of political acumen and administrative experience to the role. His approach emphasizes the importance of aligning educational programs with the needs of the workforce, while also maintaining a focus on research and community service.

Hegar's leadership style, characterized by his ability to listen and gather information before making decisions, has earned him respect from both colleagues and critics. However, the challenges ahead are significant, as the pressure to conform to political expectations can often clash with the principles of academic freedom and institutional autonomy.

Looking Ahead

As Hegar navigates these complex dynamics, the future of the Texas A&M University System remains uncertain. The upcoming search for a new president for the flagship campus will be a critical moment, as it will shape the direction of the university in the coming years. With the ongoing influence of legislative changes and the increasing scrutiny of higher education, the chancellor must balance the competing interests of various stakeholders.

In the end, Hegar's ability to maintain the integrity of the institution while adapting to the evolving landscape of higher education will be a defining factor in his tenure. As he continues to lead the A&M System, the focus will remain on ensuring that it serves the needs of students, the state, and the broader community.