College collaboration rebrands as Cross College Alliance

The collaborative effort between six local colleges has a new name: The Cross College Alliance.

The group formerly known as the Consortium of Colleges on the Creative Coast, or C4, for short, announced Wednesday the new name. Along with the name, a new tagline — “Rethinking Education. Together.” — and overall brand is designed to better identify and promote the alliance. 

The Cross College Alliance launched a new website today, as well. The colleges adopted a Memorandum of Agreement that outlines the parameters of the partnership.

Formally launched last year, the group formed after college leaders sought a way to better capitalize on the proximity and potential synergy of the area’s higher education institutions. The group’s early work has focused on academic matters, such as allowing students to enroll in courses offered at other colleges in the alliance. A release issued today states the alliance will pursue grant funding. School officials have suggested the collaboration could extend to shared facilities, as well. 

The schools in the Cross College Alliance are New College of Florida, Ringling College of Art and Design, University of South Florida Sarasota-Manatee, State College of Florida Manatee-Sarasota, Eckerd College and Florida State University, through its involvement in The Ringling.

“By collectively branding our partnership, we are able to develop a reputation for this community as a destination for higher education,” said Terry Osborn, interim regional chancellor for USF Sarasota-Manatee, in a release.