“It was a good environment to get to know other K-Staters, especially on a deeper, more personal level.”
Are you looking for a way to meet and connect with other K-Staters? Do you want to help build our K-State community? If so, sign up for ’Cats Connect – a program at Kansas State University designed to build community through conversation!
‘Cats Connect is a peer-to-peer facilitated program designed to help groups of 4-7 Wildcats meet and develop friendships outside of their regular social circles. Groups meet for one hour for five consecutive weeks. During each meeting, everyone will have the opportunity to respond to a series of fun and thought-provoking questions and engage in a small connection project. Watch this short video to learn more about what students say about ‘Cats Connect.
Why does connection matter?
- 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, and faculty – help students graduate and create a better student experience overall.
Students, faculty, and staff are all invited to participate. Groups will be built based on shared experiences and availability. 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 September 16 through October 14
- Session 2 will meet weekly beginning the week of October 21 through November 18
Registration for Session 1 of ‘Cats Connect is due by Tuesday, September 10. SIGN UP HERE!
Below are the available sessions. 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 pm
-
- Tuesdays from 5-6 pm
-
- Wednesdays from 12:30-1:30 pm
-
- Thursdays from 4-5 pm
- Graduate Students
-
- Mondays from 5-6 pm
-
- Tuesdays from 4-5 pm
-
- Wednesdays from 12-1 pm
-
- Thursdays from 5-6 pm
- Faculty/Staff
-
- Mondays from 5-6 pm
-
- Tuesdays from 4-5 pm
-
- Wednesdays from 12-1 pm
-
- Thursdays from 5-6 pm
Each group will be led by a facilitator, who is also a member of the group. Facilitators guide the group through the instructions and keep the conversations moving by following the agendas and question cards for each meeting. If you would be interested in serving as a facilitator for a small group, sign-up here.
All facilitators must attend one ‘Cats Connect Facilitator Training, which will be offered:
- Monday, September 9 from 9-10:30 am in room 201 of the Leadership Studies Building
- Tuesday, September 10 from 6-7:30 pm in room 201 of the Leadership Studies Building
The Morrison Family Center for Student Well-being and the Staley School of Leadership teamed up to bring ‘Cats Connect to the K-State community. If you have any additional questions, please reach out to Austin Drake at adrake329@ksu.edu.
You can learn more and sign up to participate on the ‘Cats Connect website.
General_Cats_Connect_Flyer_.pdf