Our Mission & Vision

Great Plains IDEA logoMission

The mission of the Great Plains Interactive Distance Education Alliance (Great Plains IDEA) is to serve learners by offering online, flexible, affordable instruction for a virtual community of individuals from diverse backgrounds. Our alliance offers high-quality, academic programs that are greater in reach and significance than any single university could offer alone by sharing resources in efficient ways.

Great Plains IDEA logoVision

Our alliance will be the leader among online, global consortia, collaborating to enrich the higher education experience for learners and faculty, empowering them to change their lives and the lives of those around them. 

Great Plains IDEA logoDiversity & Inclusion Commitment

We believe diversity fuels an innovative culture. We believe an inclusive community is a critical component for meaningful engagement. We commit to create an equitable educational experience where everyone feels empowered to be authentic and all voices are valued.

Great Plains IDEA logoCore Principles

  • Behave as equals
  • Share leadership
  • Respect and accommodate institutional differences
  • Simplify student navigation

Great Plains IDEA logoMotto

"All for one and one for all!" This quote is from the renowned story of the Three Musketeers, a book written by French author Alexander Dumas in 1844. The founding faculty, administrators, and staff who created Great Plains IDEA chose "All for one and one for all" as their motto because they were working across state lines and navigating various university policies. They understood that for this collaboration to work, everyone had to be committed to its success.