The Recent Shock at Texas A&M University

In late January 2026, Texas A&M University made headlines by officially ending its women's and gender studies (WGS) program, which offered both bachelor of arts and bachelor of science degrees, along with an undergraduate minor and a graduate certificate. This decision came amid low enrollment figures—just 25 majors and 31 minors—and compliance with a new Texas A&M University System Board of Regents policy restricting discussions of 'race or gender ideology' in classrooms. University leaders emphasized stewardship of public funds, noting that even small programs demand significant faculty time, staff support, and administrative resources.

The move was part of a broader curriculum overhaul. Officials reviewed over 5,400 syllabi for the spring semester, leading to alterations in hundreds of courses and the outright cancellation of six undergraduate classes, including 'Introduction to Race and Ethnicity' and 'Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in Youth Development Organizations.' Of the 54 courses escalated for presidential review, 48 received exceptions, allowing them to proceed with modifications. Current students in the WGS program can complete their degrees over the next six semesters, but no new enrollments are accepted.

Faculty reactions were swift and critical. Associate Professor Chaitanya Lakkimsetti highlighted the program's role in fostering interdisciplinary collaboration, such as joint seminars on movements like #MeToo. Leonard Bright, president of the local American Association of University Professors chapter, called the changes the 'tip of the iceberg,' warning of self-censorship among educators.

Florida's Trailblazing Restrictions Under Governor DeSantis

Florida has been at the forefront of Republican-led challenges to WGS programs. In 2023, New College of Florida's board of trustees, influenced by Governor Ron DeSantis appointee Christopher Rufo—a prominent critic of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives—voted to abolish the college's gender studies program, which dated back to 1995. This action symbolized a shift toward what Rufo described as refocusing on scholarly missions over ideological activism.

DeSantis expanded the crackdown through legislation like Senate Bill 266 in 2023, banning state funding for DEI programs at public colleges and ordering a return-on-investment (ROI) study for majors including gender studies. He publicly questioned taxpayer support for such degrees compared to vocational fields like truck driving. By 2024, Florida introduced bills to further restrict diversity programs, embedding these efforts into a larger anti-DEI framework.

These policies have rippled through the state's higher education system, prompting universities to scrutinize and sometimes eliminate related courses from general education requirements. For professionals navigating these changes, resources like higher ed career advice can offer guidance on adapting in evolving academic landscapes.

A Growing Wave in Republican-Led States

Beyond Texas and Florida, other Republican-controlled states have intensified scrutiny. Wichita State University and Towson University shuttered their WGS programs since 2023, citing similar enrollment and resource issues. In Wyoming, 2024 legislative efforts sought to defund the University of Wyoming's gender studies courses and diversity office, labeling them indoctrinating. The University of Iowa, as of early 2026, is reviewing low-enrollment majors like gender, women's, and sexuality studies for potential consolidation or elimination.

Anti-DEI laws have proliferated, with states like Ohio, Utah, Idaho, and New Hampshire passing measures to ban 'divisive concepts' on race and gender in mandatory trainings and courses. Ohio's Senate Bill 1, enacted in 2025, reshapes college curricula to prioritize intellectual diversity over what critics call ideological content. These actions often tie into federal pressures from the Trump administration's 2025 executive orders targeting DEI and 'gender ideology' in education.

• Texas: Regents' policy bans advocacy of race/gender ideology without exceptions.
• Florida: DEI funding bans and ROI audits.
• Wyoming: Defunding attempts for diversity offices.
• Ohio/Idaho: Bans on DEI ideology in campus policies.

Faculty seeking stability amid these shifts might explore faculty positions at institutions less affected.

The Origins and Evolution of Women's and Gender Studies

Women's and gender studies emerged in the 1970s from the women's liberation movement, challenging the exclusion of women from traditional academic disciplines like history and medicine. San Diego State University launched the first U.S. program in 1970, sparking over 800 departments and programs nationwide by 2023, according to the National Women's Studies Association (NWSA).

These interdisciplinary fields examine how gender intersects with race, class, and sexuality to shape power structures. Over decades, WGS has influenced medicine (e.g., gender-specific research), law, and social policy. Yet, historical parallels exist: Nazis destroyed Berlin's Institute for Sexual Science in 1933, and Hungary revoked gender studies accreditation in 2018, deeming it propaganda.

In the U.S., skepticism rooted in biological essentialism has grown with conservative political gains, framing WGS as ideological rather than scholarly.

Photo by Vitaly Gariev on Unsplash

Enrollment Trends and the Economic Debate

Critics often cite low enrollment as justification for cuts. At Texas A&M, the program had only 56 participants before closure. Nationally, bachelor's degrees in gender and ethnic studies declined at places like the University of Wisconsin from 157 in 2012-13 to 67 in 2023-24. Overall college enrollment dropped from 21 million in 2010 to 19.28 million by fall 2024, pressuring small programs.

However, pre-2026 data showed stability or growth in some areas: 77% of WGS chairs reported steady or increasing undergraduate enrollment from 2020-2023. At Smith College, related course enrollment doubled post-2024 election. Graduates earn a median $63,000 annually, close to the $66,000 all-bachelor's average.

Low numbers partly stem from underfunding and limited visibility, not inherent lack of interest. Check professor salaries data for career insights in academia.

Stakeholder Perspectives: Defenders and Detractors

NWSA President Jessica N. Pabón called the attacks an 'escalation of nefarious maneuvers' to demonize the field and repress knowledge challenging power systems. Texas A&M's Joan Wolf asserted, 'We’re never going to get rid of the study of gender—it’s too integrated.' PEN America's Amy Reid noted knowledge can't be fully controlled.

Conservatives counter that programs prioritize activism over scholarship. Sarah Parshall Perry of Defending Education praised Texas A&M for ensuring 'value-neutral' education. DeSantis highlighted ROI disparities. Explore faculty feedback via Rate My Professor.

Conservative Counter-Moves: Rise of Civics and Classics Centers

In response to perceived leftwing bias, states and donors fund alternatives like the University of Florida's Hamilton School for Classical and Civic Education, emphasizing great books, just war theory, and Western civilization. Utah mandates civics centers; Texas launched the School of Civic Leadership. These aim for ideological balance without direct confrontations.

Inside Higher Ed on WGS survival discusses this duality.

Human Impacts: Faculty, Students, and Academic Freedom

Closures disrupt interdisciplinary hubs, limiting student access to critical thinking on equity issues. Faculty face self-censorship and job insecurity; DEI staff report fear. Students lose options, especially marginalized groups relying on WGS for empowerment.

Broader effects include chilled speech, as seen in Texas A&M's syllabus frenzy. For career transitions, visit higher ed jobs.

Photo by Markus Winkler on Unsplash

Adaptation Strategies for Resilience

Programs are rebranding (e.g., 'gender studies' over 'women's studies'), integrating into sociology or history departments, or thriving at private institutions like Smith College. Global/comparative focuses reduce targeting. NWSA urges advocacy and highlighting contributions to education.

• Rebrand to emphasize scholarship over activism.
• Embed courses in core disciplines.
• Leverage online platforms for outreach.
• Build alliances with university leaders.

Chronicle's DEI tracker offers context.

Future Outlook and Paths Forward

Experts predict more closures in red states but endurance through integration and private sectors. WGS methodologies remain vital for addressing inequities. Higher ed must balance fiscal responsibility with academic freedom. Professionals can find opportunities at university jobs, career advice, and rate my professor. Constructive dialogue could foster diverse viewpoints, strengthening campuses overall.