From strangers to support

First, you apply. Then, you arrive. Slowly, strangers begin to filter in, one or sometimes two at a time. Introductions are made as each person repeats their name, offering a handshake or a nervous wave.

Before long, you find yourself sitting in a room with six people you've never met. The host passes around a deck of cards and asks each person to select one without looking. Throughout the event, participants take turns asking and answering the questions on their cards as openly as they can.

It might sound like the premise of a reality TV show. From "The Real World" to "Survivor," audiences have long been fascinated by what happens when strangers with different backgrounds and stories are brought together in a shared experience. When people are placed in a structured environment that encourages conversation, something powerful often happens — relationships begin to form.

That's exactly the idea behind the 'Cats Connect program.

At Kansas State University, this simple concept is part of a larger effort to strengthen community and support well-being across campus.

K-State's holistic approach to well-being includes six pillars, including social well-being, and 'Cats Connect offers a straightforward way for Wildcats to build relationships and combat loneliness.

Research shows loneliness is a growing concern.

Vivek H. Murthy, the 19th and 21st U.S. Surgeon General, declared loneliness a major public health crisis, urging Americans to strengthen connections and community.

At its core, the premise of 'Cats Connect is extremely simple: Enter a room of six strangers and answer questions from a deck of cards that are often as simple as, "What has brought joy to you today?"

"We would forget about the cards, because one question would lead to so much conversation," said Shaibu Fuseini, a graduate teaching assistant at the Staley School of Leadership, who is also pursuing a doctorate in leadership communication at K-State and is an international student from Ghana.

"It made me practice getting to know people quickly. Making friends is a muscle you need to work out," said Sarah Hemenway, a senior in English literature, who served as a 'Cats Connect facilitator.

Fuseini and Hemenway are two of thousands of Wildcats who have participated in 'Cats Connect. The program is rooted in ProjectConnect, an evidence-based small-group program that quickly reduces loneliness and builds real connections at more than 100 colleges and organizations, including K-State.

Paul Snider, professor of practice in the Carl R. Ice College of Engineering, has served as a 'Cats Connect facilitator five times and found each time to be extremely memorable and rewarding.

"Although we follow a structured program, each group connects and bonds in their own way, making the experiences unique," Snider said.

Throughout the six meetups, the six strangers become more familiar with each other, and the questions become more personal.

"By the end, we were comfortable with being vulnerable and sharing what we notice and appreciate about each other," said Snider.

Fuseini shared the same sentiment, saying that throughout the sessions, his group gradually opened up about personal insecurities.

Building empathy through conversation

Most participants say, without a doubt, that 'Cats Connect helps bring empathy to the forefront of their daily interactions. The opportunity to hear stories from people they might not normally meet offers new perspectives and a deeper understanding when encountering someone who is struggling.

Fuseini described a situation with a student who was having difficulty completing assignments. By shifting his perspective and practicing empathy, he came up with the idea of adapting the assignments so the student could complete them.

Because everyone shares this campus community, social well-being is a priority — and when it is not nurtured, it can become a barrier to success. 'Cats Connect offers a simple solution: strangers meeting and getting to know one another through conversation.

And in many cases, it becomes much more than just a way to make friends.

"A benefit of a more connected community is greater awareness of and appreciation for others and self. There is mutual support through engagement and involvement in a connected community, promoting the greater good of people at K-State and in surrounding communities," said Snider.

In addition to building connections, Fuseini noted that the experience created natural opportunities to learn more about cultural norms outside the workplace. The small-group setting allowed participants to explore cultural differences, practice open dialogue and gain a deeper understanding of one another.

By the time the six sessions come to an end, it can feel like they've only just begun.

But like all meaningful experiences, the conversations eventually end.

"I wish I had more time to join it again this semester. Next semester I'll join, maybe as a facilitator," Fuseini said.

Whether you are new to campus or have been here for years, 'Cats Connect offers a simple way for students, faculty, and staff to build connections and strengthen a sense of belonging. The 'Cats Connect program is sponsored by the Staley School of Leadership, the Morrison Family Center for Student Well-being and Human Resources.

Registration is now open for sessions beginning the week of March 30, through the week of April 27. Facilitators are needed, and training is provided.

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