According to “IDEAL-NM”, New Mexico is the first state in the nation to create a statewide eLearning system that from its inception encompasses all aspects of learning from traditional public and higher education environments to teacher professional development, continuing education and workforce education. IDEAL-NM is a joint program of the New Mexico Public Education and Higher Education Departments.

The IDEAL-NM initiative was announced by Governor Bill Richardson on October 27, 2006, and followed by legislation sponsored by Representative Rick Miera and Senator Cynthia Nava in the 2007 session.

According to a 2005 Blackboard press release, an estimated 16,500 NMSU students and 4,200 faculty/staff will convert immediately to the Blackboard Transaction System for a wide variety of campus services including vending, facilities access and laundry.