ConnectTech

Bring digital skills + laptops to your community. 

Join the Center for Digital Equity’s ConnectTech program — a short, high-impact training designed for current Innovator and Champion partners. Together, we help community members build digital confidence, earn credentials, and take home a laptop upon completion — while your organization builds lasting capacity to offer digital skills programming. 

Apply to Host a ConnectTech Class 

  • Applications Open: October 27 
  • Application Review Begins: November 7, 2025 
  • Partner Notifications: November 12, 2025 
  • Required Cohort Training Session: November 19, 2025
  • Cohort 1: November 19, 2025 – March 1, 2026 
APPLY NOW

Want to learn more? 

Register to join one of our information sessions:  

Not sure if your organization is an Innovator or Champion partner? 
Contact Chris Sifford at siffordc@queens.edu. 

Photo of two residents working on a digital skilling module together.

Why Partner with CDE 

Empower your community. 
Help community members build digital skills and confidence to thrive in a connected world. 

Build your capacity. 
CDE provides your staff with training, toolkits, and ongoing support to lead repeatable, high-quality classes. 

Join a proven network. 
More than 100 local organizations have partnered with CDE to expand digital opportunity across the Carolinas. 

How the Program Works 

Apply 
Submit a short application to host a ConnectTech class and join CDE’s Community Training Team — a network of organizations advancing digital opportunity together. 
Selection & Onboarding 
Selected partners receive a Welcome Packet, confirm readiness, and join the next available cohort. 
Attend Partner Sessions 
Your staff take part in a series of partner connection sessions focused on program setup and shared learning, concluding with a reflection meeting to gather feedback. 
Recruit Learners 
Use CDE’s customizable outreach toolkit — flyers, social posts, and email templates — to fill your class with community members. 
Host Your ConnectTech Class 
Choose the model that fits your organization: 
– CDE-Led: A CDE Digital Navigator facilitates your class. 
– Train-the-Trainer: Your staff leads after completing CDE training. 
– Partner Curriculum: Use your own digital skills program with CDE support. 
Celebrate Completions 
Learners who successfully complete two Northstar Digital Literacy assessments earn a laptop to keep — a milestone that connects learning to earning. 

Partner Roles + CDE Support 

When you join ConnectTech, you’re never doing it alone. CDE walks alongside your team from setup to celebration. 

Your Organization Will: 

  • Designate a site coordinator or liaison 
  • Send 1–2 staff to two short training sessions 
  • Recruit and enroll community members 
  • Provide a safe, connected learning space 
  • Track attendance and short participant surveys 

CDE Provides: 

  • Staff training, guides, and ongoing coaching 
  • Northstar Digital Literacy licenses + bilingual materials (English & Spanish) 
  • A dedicated Digital Navigator for facilitation or co-support 
  • Recruitment toolkit (flyers, posts, email templates) 
  • Laptops for learners who meet completion goals 

Together, we ensure every partner — and every learner — has the tools, training, and support to turn learning into opportunity. 

Quick Facts 

Category Details 
Program Length 4–5 weeks (in-person or hybrid) 
Cohort Size ~15 community members on average, larger cohorts for experienced facilitators  
Languages English + Spanish 
Curriculum Northstar Digital Literacy + optional partner curriculum 
Cost Free to the organizations and the participants 
Outcome Learners build digital confidence, earn credentials, and receive a laptop 

Timeline & Key Dates 

Milestone Date 
Applications Open October 27, 2025 
Application Review Begins November 7, 2025 
Partner Notifications November 12, 2025 
Cohort 1 November 19, 2025 – March 1, 2026 
Cohort 2 Applications Spring 2026 

FAQs 

What is the objective of the ConnectTech program?

This program is operated by the Center for Digital Equity (CDE) at Queens University of Charlotte in partnership with local nonprofits, community agencies, and corporate partners. Our mission is to close the digital gap by connecting learning to living. We equip individuals with the technology access, digital skills, and confidence they need to thrive in modern life — whether it’s seeing a doctor online, caring for loved ones, managing household finances, or advancing their careers. 

What is the criteria to participate?

Be a mission-aligned organization 

  1. Approved Innovator or Champion CDE partner (to be an innovator or champion CDE partner you must have completed a partner engagement form, attended orientation and had approval for level designation by CDE) 
  1. Operate within the areas of workforce development, health, education, community services, or digital opportunity. 
  1. Share CDE’s commitment to advancing digital and economic opportunities. 

Serve an eligible population 

  1. Support adults (18+) who are unemployed, underemployed, or seeking to improve digital skills. 

Provide a community-based learning environment 

  1. Offer a safe, accessible location for participants to attend in-person or hybrid training. 
  1. Have reliable internet connectivity and space for small group learning (if hosting sessions on-site). 

Commit to collaborative program delivery 

  1. Designate a program liaison or site coordinator to support participant engagement and data reporting. 
  1. Participate in regular partner meetings, orientation sessions, and evaluations with CDE. 
  1. Follow CDE’s program guidelines, participant tracking requirements, and branding standards. 

Ensure participant support and wraparound services 

  1. Provide or connect participants with resources that support completion (e.g., transportation, childcare, career counseling, or case management). 
  1. Promote holistic learning environments that reinforce digital skills with real-world application. 

Data and impact reporting compliance 

  1. Agree to collect and share de-identified participant data, attendance, and outcome metrics with CDE. 
  1. Participate in program evaluation and storytelling to demonstrate community impact. 
What are the partner responsibilities after approval?
  • Designate a Site Coordinator or Liaison: 
    Assign a primary point of contact to oversee program operations at your site. This person will work closely with CDE staff on scheduling, reporting, and participant support. 
  • Host Learning Sessions: 
    Provide a consistent, safe, and welcoming learning space for participants, whether in-person, hybrid, or virtual. Ensure the environment has adequate equipment, seating, and connectivity. 
  • Follow the Approved Curriculum: 
    Deliver the program curriculum as provided or approved by CDE. Any modifications should be coordinated with the CDE program team. 
  • Recruit and Enroll Eligible Participants: 
    Identify and refer learners who meet the established participant criteria. Support outreach through your organization’s existing networks and community channels. 
  • Maintain Active Communication: 
    Keep participants informed of schedules, attendance requirements, and program expectations. Notify CDE of any participant challenges or withdrawals. 
  • Provide Wraparound Support: 
    Offer or connect participants to supportive services such as transportation, childcare, case management, or job placement assistance to promote program completion and long-term success. 
  • Ensure Equipment and Connectivity: 
    Maintain reliable internet and technology resources during training sessions.  
  • Manage Device Distribution (if applicable): 
    Partners facilitating device distribution must follow CDE’s equipment tracking, and warranty policies.  
  • Track Participation: 
    Maintain accurate participation records for each session and report data to CDE as agreed upon. 
  • Share Program Outcomes: 
    Submit participant success stories, completion rates, and other required outcomes for CDE’s evaluation and storytelling efforts. 
  • Protect Participant Privacy: 
    Handle all participant information in compliance with CDE’s data-sharing agreement and privacy standards. Only de-identified data should be shared externally unless otherwise approved. 
  • Attend Partner Meetings and Training: 
    Participate in at least 90% of all program related partner convenings, orientation sessions, and professional development opportunities facilitated by CDE. 
  • Provide Feedback: 
    Offer constructive feedback on curriculum delivery, participant outcomes, and operational processes to help enhance future cohorts. 
  • Use Approved Branding: 
    Include program and CDE branding in promotional materials as outlined in the cohort training. All external communication about the program should align with CDE’s messaging and mission. 
  • Share Success Stories: 
    Highlight participant achievements and milestones through your organization’s communication channels (with the participant’s appropriate consent), tagging CDE where possible to amplify impact. 
  • Represent the Program Professionally: 
    Ensure that all staff and volunteers connected to ConnectTech maintain a positive, professional presence consistent with the program’s values. 
  • View the ConnectTechProgram Requirements

Get Involved 

Join the ConnectTech partner network and help community members gain the skills — and access — to thrive in today’s digital world. 
 
Questions? Email Amy Crippen, Senior Program Director, at crippena@queens.edu.