The system has a long and illustrious history in higher education in Texas. Established in 1911 to consolidate the support and management of teacher colleges, the system has evolved into an eight-component network stretching from the Louisiana border to the Big Bend region of far West Texas. The system serves over 57,000 students at more than a dozen locations.

Originally a system of components sharing a common bond as teacher colleges, today's eight system components offer a broad range of traditional programs with different specialized programs emerging at each of the locations. Academic offerings within the system range from technical certificate programs through four Ph.D programs, with a fifth Ph.D program in the approval stage.

The system is governed by a Board of Regents composed of nine members appointed by the governor with the advice and consent of the State Senate. An administrative staff headed by a Board-appointed chancellor, is based in Austin, where it administers the central activities of the system and provides support to the system components.

Member Universities include:

Angelo State University
Lamar University - Beaumont
Lamar Institute of Technology
Lamar State College - Orange
Lamar State College - Port Arthur
Sam Houston State University
Southwest Texas State University
Sul Ross State University
Sul Ross State University Rio Grande College