NDSU associate professor earns IDEA Faculty Excellence Award

Dane Mataic, associate professor of sociology and anthropology, has been awarded the Faculty Excellence Award for his faculty commitment in IDEA.

Established in 1994, IDEA is a consortium of 19 accredited universities across the United States that offers online courses, certificates, and degrees in agriculture and human sciences. North Dakota State participates in five human sciences programs and five agriculture programs through the consortium.

Mataic participates in the community development program, serving as an instructor and, for the past two years, the chair. This program is taught by three universities, NDSU, Kansas State University and University of Nebraska-Lincoln, through the IDEA.

Beyond his dedicated commitment to the community development program, Mataic was recognized for his leadership during transition periods and support of his colleagues and students within the program.

Mataic was nominated by multiple people, with Christina Weber, chair of the sociology and anthropology department at NDSU, praising him for his dedication to IDEA and his experienced leadership in the program, while Huston Gibson, professor and department head at Kansas State University, highlighted Mataic’s willingness to volunteer for new roles and his quality engagement within the community development program.

Mataic received the faculty excellence award on February 23rd at the 2026 IDEA annual meeting in Kansas City, MO. The honor comes with a $2,000 cash award. The Faculty Excellence Award was established in 2011 to recognize faculty in IDEA academic programs.