Texas A&M University’s Mays Business School Dean Nate Sharp has faced criticism for initially sponsoring a DEI conference that excluded white and Asian students. Following backlash from Gov. Greg Abbott, who threatened to fire TAMU President Mark Welsh for failing to prevent the illegal conference, A&M withdrew its participation.

This incident, however, was not the first time Sharp publicly supported similar initiatives.

In a letter to the dean search committee, Mays Business School Dean Nate Sharp declared his “unwavering commitment” to DEI as part of his job application.

“I would be honored to help lead Mays’ efforts to continue improving its commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion,” Sharp wrote. “As part of this effort, I will create a new DE&I Advisory Council to help our Mays Leadership Team understand the different ways we can improve, including through faculty hiring and student recruiting and retention.”

Senate Bill 17 now bans DEI policies in Texas public universities and took effect in 2024. The law mandates the elimination of institutions’ DEI offices and prohibits hiring contractors to perform the duties of a DEI office.

Sharp was hired by then-President Katherine Banks and assumed the role in February of 2023.

In the same letter, Sharp expressed his intention, if hired, to embrace environmental social governance (ESG).

ESG is a framework for assessing a company’s performance based on its environmental and social impact; examples include implementing DEI and initiatives to reduce fossil fuels. Meanwhile, oil and gas taxes contribute millions to Texas A&M through the Permanent University Fund, from which the institution receives one-third of all benefits.

“I believe we have not yet sufficiently embraced ESG as an emphasis in our teaching and research at Mays,” Sharp wrote in his job application. “I believe Mays can increase its impact toward ‘advancing the world’s prosperity’ if we bring heightened emphasis to ESG across our curricula and prepare our students to lead in these important areas.”

“ESG is not a temporary fad or trend; I believe students and employers, now and in the future, will care deeply about topics like social impact and sustainability,” he wrote.

At one time, organizations were drawn toward ESG, demonstrating their values through investing in politically correct social and environmental causes.

“There’s a growing trend in the financial community, driven by boisterous public shaming campaigns, towards environmental, social, and governance (ESG) investing — meaning giving more funds to companies who talk the right talk on issues like climate change, instead of to companies that offer the highest return on investment,” wrote Jason Isaac, former Texas Public Policy Foundation senior fellow.

More recent 2024 reports, however, show that ESG focus is declining among U.S. corporate boards.

Texas A&M has not responded to a request for comment.

A Board of Regents oversees the Texas A&M University System. They are appointed by Gov. Abbott and confirmed by the Texas Senate.

The Texas A&M Board of Regents are Chairman Bill Mahomes, Vice Chairman Robert L. Albritton, David Baggett, John Bellinger, James R. “Randy” Brooks, Jay Graham, Michael A. “Mike” Hernandez III, Michael J. Plank, and Sam Torn. Concerned citizens may contact them through their TAMUS email addresses below:

Regent-bob-albritton@tamus.edu

Regent-david-baggett@tamus.edu

Regent-john-bellinger@tamus.edu

Regent-randy-brooks@tamus.edu

Regent-jay-graham@tamus.edu

Regent-mike-hernandez@tamus.edu

Regent-bill-mahomes@tamus.edu

Regent-michael-plank@tamus.edu

Regent-sam-torn@tamus.edu

Valerie Muñoz

Valerie Muñoz is a native South Texan and a graduate of Texas A&M University, where she studied journalism. She is passionate about delivering clear and comprehensive news to Texans.

RELATED POSTS