It was July 2017, and I just walked out of an NCCEP team meeting with Alex Chough‍ regarding the soft roll-out of the Quad. For immediate next steps, I was tasked with preparing my first in-person Quad presentation scheduled to take place during the Directors Meeting at the upcoming NCCEP annual convening.  

I was provided ten minutes on the Directors Meeting schedule to share an overview of the Quad and highlight the key features that the Quad had to offer.  

Now, fast forward to that 2017 Directors Meeting and picture this…there I am…three minutes into my presentation…and my first glance away from my laptop monitor…I gaze across the front row of Directors and see the State Director of NYGEAR UP, Nona Donovan. 

Nona Donovan‍ 

Nona, with a welcoming smile, was nodding in agreement, swiftly jotting down notes about the Quad. 

Quad Adoption and Onboarding: 

“As State Director of NYGEAR UP, I oversee the activities and services to our cohort of over 6,400 students provided by New York's nine sub-grantees and state partners. At first glance, I immediately could see the value of the Quad,” states Nona. 

When speaking with Nona about the Quad features, she shared that her two favorite Quad site locations are “People” and “Discussions.”  The Quad currently has over 900 Quad members from GEAR UP programs across the U.S. “At any given time, I can just type in my Quad log-in, and right there on the Quad homepage, I can click on “People” and connect with hundreds of GEAR UP colleagues,” states Nona. 

Nona, along with other early Quad adopters, GEAR UP Directors Christina M. Sibaouih‍, Dr. Wendy M Stack‍, Dawn Cooper‍, and Melissa Gattuso‍, each envisioned how the Quad could add value to their  GEAR UP program administration.   

Nona’s Quad Tip: Your Quad Profile screen is the central area for all of your community profile details. This screen contains your basic profile information, activity list, and links to other profile information. Other Quad members can see a version of this page when they visit your profile. Visit the Quad Onboarding Center page entitled, Creating and Maintaining Your Profile, and get tips and techniques for building, maintaining, and updating your Quad Profile.

Snapshot of Nona’s Quad Profile Page

Quad Engagement and Inspiration:  

In addition to national engagement across programs and institutions, each GEAR UP program is provided their own private digital workspace, to include project and task management, file sharing, social feeds, and interaction.  

“The GEAR UP programs in New York are spread out among several institutions across the state.  Many of the processes and procedures I’ve mapped out are essential for my team to function day-to-day. My NYGEAR UP private team space allows me to connect with my staff and share valuable resources,” states Nona.  

Snapshot of the Resource Library in NYGEAR UP’s Private Quad Team Space

Nona’s Quad Tip: Visit the How To’s section of the Quad Onboarding Center to access quick tips on how to Share A Resource, Add A Folder, and Download A Folder.   

“One of my favorite features on the Quad is the Calendar of Events! On the Quad’s homepage and in my NYGEAR UP private team space, it’s the perfect location to stay up to date on in-person and online events happening within the GEAR UP community,” states Nona. 

Want to learn how to make the most of your Quad Calendar, check out these easy to follow Add A Calendar Event instructions! 

Nona’s Final Thoughts: 

“The Quad has proven to be a valuable resource for my NYGEAR UP team. During these unprecedented times, let’s make the most of this opportunity to stay connected through the Quad as we continue to learn and grow together as a GEAR UP community,” states Nona.  

Visit the Quad Knowledge Base and check out the webinar entitled, (Re)Introduction to The Quad: NCCEP Members’ Virtual Community, to learn more about how the Quad seamlessly connects people, processes, and information to create a more productive and engaged national GEAR UP community. 

To learn more about Nona Donovan‍, visit her Quad Profile and the NYGEAR UP website.  

Remember to join us for our upcoming webinar event!  

• Next Monday, 4/27, @ 2 pm EST: NCCEP invites you to join Dr. Natalie B. Milman, professor at George Washington University, for a live webinar to learn firsthand how your GEAR UP team can provide high-quality remote programming with practical strategies for keeping both positive and productive while working remotely. Register Here 

Check out Betty Paugh Ortiz‍'s blog featuring Arizona GEAR UP Director, Teena Olszewski‍ , and Emily Jeffries‍' blog on how to amplify your engagement on social media. Also, please share your strategies and tips for Quad engagement in the comment box below!