'Cats Connect

'Cats Connect for Students

Find out what it's like

 

'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.

'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.

Spring 2024

Looking for ways to meet new people and connect with others? Sign up today!

  • Session 1: Registration closed.
  • Session 2 will meet weekly beginning the week of March 25 through April 29.

Registrations for Session 2 in spring 2024 ’Cats Connect are due by Tuesday, March 19.


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. If you would be interested in serving as a facilitator for a small group, sign-up here.

All facilitators will receive ‘Cats Connect training. Training sessions will be offered:

  • Spring 2024 session two training dates will be posted soon.

Faculty and Staff

This program is open to all K-Staters - including our faculty and staff. Use the participant signup button above and you will be placed in a group with other professionals across the University. Learn more from faculty and staff who have participated in this short video.


Why 'Cats Connect?

  • 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.

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.

Conversation
Connection
Community