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Texas A&M system picks up 12th university
Senate Bill 2361 Transfers UH-V to Texas A&M, its 12th campus in the TAMU System
AUSTIN — With overwhelming bipart isan, near-unanimous support, the Texas Legislature has passed Senate Bill 2361 (SB 2361), legislation that officially transfers the University of Houston – Victoria (UH-V) to the Texas A&M University System, renaming the institution Texas A&M –Victoria.
The measure, authored by State Senator Lois W. Kolkhorst (R-Brenham) and sponsored by State Representative AJ Louderback (R-Victoria), passed the Senate 31-0 and the House 142–1. It now heads to the Governor’s desk for signature, representing the Legislature’s overwhelming support for this major change in the Crossroads Region. “Today marks a new chapter in the history of higher education in our region,” Senator Kolkhorst stated. “Transferring UH-V to the Texas A&M System will better align and enhance educational opportunities to the region with a strong emphasis on engineering and agriculture- focused degrees.
“I am grateful to the University of Houston System for their long partnership and their willingness to support this transfer, and to the Texas A&M Board of Regents for their vision going forward of making this a world-class university. This is a tremendous opportunity and has been long-awaited and supported by community leaders.”
Victoria, located near the heart of the Texas Gulf Coast, serves as a critical hub for the petrochemical, energy, logistics, and agricultural industries. By joining the Texas A&M University System—ranked nationally among the top 20 public research institutions— Texas A&M–Victoria will be uniquely positioned to deliver:
• Expanded STEM & engineering programs with industries vital to the Texas economy
• New research & technical training facilities to fuel high-tech, high-wage jobs
• Access to over $1.3B in A&M research infrastructure, to lead national innovation efforts “As a proud Aggie, I can think of nothing better to do than to pass SB 2361 and add a 12th university to the Texas A&M System,” said Senator Paul Bettencourt (R-Houston), a joint author of the bill. “This transfer and strategic investment in Victoria’s future opens new doors for students and unlocks the full potential of the next generation of leaders, engineers, and entrepreneurs in petrochemical, agricultural, and logistics innovation.”
Texas A&M Chancellor John Sharp echoed similar sentiments. “The Texas A&M University System will turn Texas A&M–Victoria into one of the premier campuses in Texas while serving its regional economic needs.”
Universities currently within the Texas A&M University System include:
• Texas A&M University
• Prairie View A&M University • East Texas A&M University • Tarlton State University • West Texas A&M University • Texas A&M University Kingsville
• Texas A&M University Corpus Christi
• Texas A&M University International University
• Texas A&M University Texarkana
• Texas A&M University Central Texas
• Texas A&M University San Antonio “A&M coming to Victoria is an incredible opportunity that will generate degrees beneficial for our community and the entire Golden Crescent, with a goal of keeping well-educated graduates in our region,” said Rep. Louderback. “I am honored to stand with Senator Kolkhorst and the many community leaders who helped bring this legislation across the finish line.”
SB 2361 directs the University of Houston and Texas A&M systems to establish a Memorandum of Understanding by June 1, 2025, outlining the transfer process, which must be completed by September 1, 2025.
Upon the Governor’s signature, the bill will take effect immediately, as provided by Section 39, Article III of the Texas Constitution.
