A Texas Christian University professor was recorded on camera discussing the school’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion curriculum, despite Texas and the federal government having enacted a ban on DEI offices and practices at public colleges and universities.
In an undercover investigation by Accuracy in Media, TCU Associate Professor Aesha John told an investigator that the university’s nursing and health science program has expanded curriculum related to DEI.
“Over time, we have become even more intentional about being race conscious,” John explained.
John also said the program continues to teach the same material it did before President Donald Trump’s election in 2024.
“We talk about gender issues and pretty much all DEI-related issues,” John said. “We still offer a class on diversity and social justice.”
In 2023, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott signed Senate Bill 17 into law, prohibiting DEI offices and certain DEI-related practices at Texas public institutions of higher education.
TCU, however, is a private university and is not subject to SB 17’s restrictions on curriculum or university operations. The university does, however, receive federal funding.
At the beginning of his second term, Trump signed several executive orders aimed at limiting the use of federal funds for DEI-related programs.
During fiscal year 2025, TCU received approximately $41 million in federal funding, including $17.4 million in federal grants and $23.6 million in direct federal payments.
John also discussed the university’s religious identity, saying that although TCU is considered a Christian university, “in a lot of ways we are not. I think we are very progressive.”
“I think Baylor has employees sign a statement about abiding by Christian values. At TCU, we do no such thing,” John said.
John also described an alternative grading method used by one of her colleagues known as “ungrading.” Under the approach the professor does not assign traditional grades throughout the semester. Instead, the professor has conversations with students at the end of the semester and agrees on a grade together.
“This is for all students, but a lot of research shows that this is really helpful to students who are first generation,” John said.
She added that “students from marginalized communities do really well with that kind of ungrading approach, versus using a common yardstick for all students.”
