On Thursday, August 8, 2024, the Great Plains Interactive Distance Education Alliance (Great Plains IDEA) and AG IDEA, a consortium of 20 public universities providing online education, made a significant announcement. The alliance revealed its new name as the Innovative Digital Education Alliance (IDEA) along with a fresh brand identity. This change marks a new chapter in the alliance’s journey towards providing transformative academic programs and initiatives to learners regardless of their location.
Under the new name, IDEA will continue its mission of offering online higher education opportunities to students. The new tagline, „An Online Higher Education Alliance,“ succinctly captures the purpose of the alliance and emphasizes its adaptability in the ever-evolving landscape of higher education. The rebranding is rooted in the alliance’s history and positions it to remain competitive by providing opportunities that go beyond what a single university can offer.
In addition to the name change, IDEA also unveiled a brand-new visual identity. The logo mark, a tri-colored arrow-like shape, symbolizes upward trajectory, reflecting students‘ aspirations and the forward-thinking vision of IDEA. This new visual brand identity helps convey the alliance’s story in a modern and engaging way, resonating with both current and prospective students.
To complement the new brand identity, IDEA launched a new website, idea.edu. The website features an intuitive and user-friendly design, serving as a trusted source for students and faculty to connect with the consortium. It provides easy access to program information, resources, and support services, enhancing the overall online learning experience for all users. Megan Lasso, IDEA Cabinet chair, expressed the significance of the rebranding and the launch of the new website in better serving the diverse community of learners and educators.
IDEA, founded in 2000, is a consortium of 20 renowned public universities from across the United States, offering online courses, certificates, and degrees in agriculture and human sciences. The collaborative approach of sharing resources among universities provides students with a unique educational experience, learning from expert faculty at multiple institutions. Over the years, IDEA has impacted over 11,500 students, providing educational freedom beyond what a single university can offer.
For Oklahoma State University (OSU) students interested in taking an IDEA class, they can contact Rae Ann Montgomery at rae.montgomery@okstate.edu. OSU joined the alliance in 2000 as a founding member and participates in 10 programs, showcasing the benefits that OSU students can gain through IDEA’s innovative online education offerings.
In conclusion, the rebranding of Great Plains IDEA and AG IDEA to Innovative Digital Education Alliance (IDEA) signifies a commitment to innovation, excellence, and accessibility in online learning. The new brand identity and website launch are pivotal milestones in IDEA’s journey towards providing high-quality online education opportunities to a diverse community of learners and educators.