Did you know?
- Social connection is the single most important protective factor for preventing suicide.
- Good relationships help alleviate symptoms of depression and anxiety.
- Good relationships are the strongest predictor of happiness!
- Positive relationships—with students, staff, or faculty—help students graduate and create a better student experience overall.
'Cats Connect is a peer-facilitated program designed to build social networks and community on campus. Students, faculty and staff are invited to participate.
Our mission: Building our K-State community through deep, meaningful conversation and connection
Participants are placed in a group of 4-6 people from outside of their social groups. The group meets for six one-hour sessions, where members will get to know each other through a series of fun and thought-provoking questions and engage in a small connection project.
Why do faculty and staff love 'Cats Connect?
Why do students love 'Cats Connect?
Fall 2025
Participants can select in-person (on the Manhattan campus) or virtual meetings (via Zoom). There are two sessions to choose from:
- Session 1 will meet weekly beginning the week of Sept. 22, through the week of Oct. 27.
- Session 2 will meet weekly beginning the week of Oct. 27, through the week of Dec. 8.
The participant registration form includes a space to submit availability for meeting times.
The deadline to sign up for Session 1 is Tuesday, Sept. 16.
Facilitators
Each group will be led by a facilitator, who is also a member of the group. They take a leadership role to help the group work through the activities. All facilitators will receive ‘Cats Connect training.
Training sessions will be offered:
- 3:30-5 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 9, room 218 of the Leadership Studies Building
- 9-10:30 a.m. Wednesday, Sept. 10, room 218 of the Leadership Studies Building
Project Connect
This program is part of a national experience called Project Connect. Students on other campuses around the nation love this program.
- 98% of previous participants said they would recommend it to a friend
- 95% said they would like to participate again themselves
Looking for more ways to create connection? Check out 101 ways to create connection and community, a blog from Project Connect.
'Cats Connect is sponsored by the Morrison Family Center for Student Well-being and the Staley School of Leadership. For more information email Jeneen LeMay at jalemay@ksu.edu and Tamara Bauer at tamara@ksu.edu.