Creation
The South Texas College was created on September 1, 1993, by Texas Senate Bill 251 to serve Hidalgo and Starr counties. A confirmation election, held on August 12, 1995, established a taxing district for the college. Seven districts, based on population, were also approved for single- member representation on the Board of Trustees. A community leader from each of the seven districts was originally appointed by Governor Ann Richards to serve on the founding Board of Trustees. Since then, elections have been held for all of the seats, and all members have been elected as of May 2002.
The institution is presently accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools to award the Bachelor of Applied Technology, Associate of Applied Science, Associate of Arts and the Associate of Science degrees and Certificates. It is also approved for veteran's educational training in Certificate and Associate of Applied Science degree programs by the Texas Education Agency.