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K-State Today

August 7, 2024

Great Plains IDEA and AG IDEA Rebrand to IDEA: Innovative Digital Education Alliance

Submitted by Ashley Schultz

IDEA logo

Great Plains Interactive Distance Education Alliance, or Great Plains IDEA, and AG IDEA, a consortium of 20 public universities providing online education, is excited to announce its name change to Innovative Digital Education Alliance , or IDEA, and new brand identity.

Kansas State University joined the alliance in 2000 as a founding member and serves as the lead institution for IDEA. K-State participates in 10 programs, spread across four colleges, that collaborate with 19 other public and land-grant universities to offer online master’s degrees, graduate certificates, and coursework that programs would have otherwise been unable to offer alone. Students benefit from faculty expertise across multiple institutions. IDEA courses are offered at one common price tuition rate across all participating institutions. Two additional K-State programs that started in IDEA have since gone on to be successful stand-alone programs. Learn more about how K-State students benefit through IDEA.

Under the new name, IDEA will continue providing transformative academic programs, partnerships, and initiatives, reinforcing its commitment to serve learners regardless of their location. The new tagline “An Online Higher Education Alliance” clearly conveys the purpose and underscores while the adaptability of the alliance. Our new name is rooted in our history and will position us to remain competitive in higher education’s ever-changing landscape as we continue to provide opportunities beyond what one university can offer on its own.

IDEA’s new visual brand identity helps tell our compelling story in a modern way. The logo mark, a tri-colored arrow-like shape, represents upward trajectory, a reflection of our students’ aspirations and the future-focused vision of IDEA.

To complement IDEA’s new visual brand identity, our virtual experiences have also evolved. IDEA’s new website, www.idea.edu, offers an intuitive and user-friendly design, continuing to be a trusted source for students and faculty to connect with the consortium. It provides easy access to program information, resources, and support services. "Rebranding to IDEA marks a significant milestone in our journey. Our new identity reflects our ongoing commitment to innovation, excellence, and accessibility in online learning," said Megan Lasso, IDEA Cabinet chair. "With the launch of our new website, we are better equipped to serve our diverse community of learners and educators."

IDEA is a consortium of 20 renowned public universities from across the United States, offering online courses, certificates, and degrees in agriculture and human sciences. Founded in 2000, IDEA’s collaborative approach to sharing resources offers students a unique educational experience where they learn from expert faculty at multiple universities. Our alliance has impacted over 11,500 students by providing educational freedom beyond what one university can provide. IDEA’s innovative approach to higher education empowers learners and faculty from diverse backgrounds to transition learning beyond the online classroom to change their lives and the lives of those around them. Learn how IDEA is making history and shaping the future of online higher education at www.idea.edu.

For more information, contact Morgan Jones, executive director, at 785-532-1999 or mvjones@k-state.edu.