'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.
Spring 2025
Participants can select in-person (on the Manhattan campus) or virtual meetings (via Zoom). There are two fall 2024 sessions to choose from:
- Session 1 will meet weekly beginning the week of Feb. 10, through the week of March 10.
- Session 2 will meet weekly beginning the week of March 31, through the week of April 28.
Session times
If you are not available during any of these sessions, there is a space on the registration form to submit your availability.
Undergraduate Students
- Mondays from 4-5 p.m.
- Tuesdays from 5-6 p.m.
- Wednesdays from 12:30-1:30 p.m.
- Thursdays from 4-5 p.m.
Graduate Students
- Mondays from 5-6 p.m.
- Tuesdays from 4-5 p.m.
- Wednesdays from 12-1 p.m.
- Thursdays from 12-1 p.m.
Faculty/Staff
- Mondays from 5-6 p.m.
- Tuesdays from 4-5 p.m.
- Wednesdays from 12-1 p.m.
- Thursdays from 12-1 p.m.
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. Monday, Feb. 3, room 218 of the Leadership Studies Building
- 9-10:30 a.m. Tuesday, Feb. 4, room 218 of the Leadership Studies Building
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.
'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.
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.