Kansas professor put on leave for labeling White men ‘dangerous animals’ after Charlie Kirk’s death
HAYS, KANSAS: A psychology professor at Fort Hays State University said she has been placed on administrative leave after her social media posts reacting to conservative activist Charlie Kirk’s shooting drew widespread backlash online.
Nuchelle Chance, an assistant professor, came under fire after Facebook posts she shared shortly after Kirk’s fatal shooting at a Utah university were amplified by the account Libs of TikTok.
Chance said her remarks were misinterpreted and part of what she described as a "manufactured outrage campaign rooted in misogynoir."
Professor defends remarks after backlash over Charlie Kirk posts
On September 10, the day Kirk was shot dead on campus, Chance posted on Facebook, “Me thinks the word ‘karma’ is appropriate. Sad day all around,” linking to a partial quote from Kirk about the Second Amendment.
Two days later, after police identified Tyler Robinson as the suspected shooter, she wrote, “But when we tell y’all that statistically… White American men are the most dangerous animals on the planet we’re wrong. Let’s not be hasty they say…”
The posts spread quickly after being highlighted on social media, prompting outrage from conservative groups. In a TikTok video, Chance said she was being “targeted” by “MAGA” users and argued her “karma” comment was mischaracterized as celebrating Kirk’s death. “That would be immoral,” she said, adding that her post about white men referenced statistics about perpetrators of mass violence.
In a statement to Fox News Digital, Chance said her comments were “misinterpreted — intentionally and deliberately,” calling the reaction a coordinated campaign of “manufactured outrage.” She said her use of the word “animal” came from behavioral science terminology and wasn’t meant to degrade anyone.
Chance rejected claims that her personal social media activity compromised her role as an educator. “I have never discussed my political views in the classroom. That would be inappropriate and unprofessional, and, frankly, asinine. My role as an educator is to foster critical thinking, not to impose personal belief,” she said, noting her teaching evaluations show fairness across demographics.
She added, “My scholarship and teaching reflect a commitment to justice and inclusion. I welcome diverse perspectives in my classroom and remain committed to creating a space where every student feels seen, heard and respected.”
Fort Hays State University reviews social media controversy
A Fort Hays State University spokesperson confirmed a faculty member’s social media posts were under review after comments about Kirk circulated online. “Individuals who post commentaries to their personal social media accounts do not speak for the university,” the school said in a statement, emphasizing its dedication to “free, open and respectful dialogue.”
The university said the matter was being handled as a “confidential personnel issue” and asked for patience “as we address it with the seriousness it warrants.” It did not confirm whether any disciplinary action had been taken, but Chance’s faculty page has since been removed from the university website.
Chance confirmed in an auto-reply from her school email that she is “currently on a two-week administrative leave from Fort Hays State University and will not be checking [her] university email regularly during this time.”
This comes amid a broader wave of disciplinary actions against educators for online remarks about Charlie Kirk’s death. In South Dakota, a federal judge temporarily reinstated professor Michael Hook after the University of South Dakota moved to fire him for calling Kirk a “hate-spreading Nazi.”
Meanwhile, an Iowa teacher, Matthew Kargol, is suing his district after being terminated for writing “1 Nazi down.”
Both men argued their remarks are protected under free speech, as legal challenges continue to test how far schools can go in disciplining employees for controversial social media comments following Kirk’s murder.
