ProjectConnect is a student-facilitated program to help build social connection and community on campus. Students get to know a small group of 4-6 students outside of their social groups over the course of six 1-hour sessions. Groups respond to a series of fun and thought-provoking questions, engage in a small connection project, and share a meal or attend other events together. Students love this program -- 98% of previous participants said they would recommend ProjectConnect to a friend and 95% said they would like to participate again themselves! Space is limited.
The Project Connect model was developed by Jessica Gifford, a licensed Social Worker with college counseling center experience. The model is evidence-based and used at over 30 other colleges. Students who have participated have had great things to say about the experience and post assessment data shows that participants highly recommend it to their peers. For more information about project connect follow this link ProjectConnect for Schools and Colleges — Project Connect (projectconnect-us.com)
The Counseling Center is partnering with the Health Education Office, Office of Student Success and Residence Life Office to bring this program to campus. This project was funded by a grant from our generous partners at Oneonta Auxiliary Services.
Frequently asked questions
What happens in a group?
A trained student facilitator will facilitate a series of group conversations and activities to help you get to know the other people in the group. Initially, there will be conversation question starters that members of the group can ask. The conversation starters are designed to help you get to know other people in your group better and better as time goes on. Later when the group knows each other pretty well, the group will engage in some activities together designed to deepen their social connection.
Why do people participate in Project connect?
Students join for lots of different reasons. In general students come because they want to expand and deepen their friendship circles by getting to know a small group of students. Some students are new to campus and want to make new friends more rapidly. Its common that in a digital world, some students want more in-person connection. It’s also normal that a student’s friend group might change over the course of their time at college and students might find themselves wanting more or new friends. Having a wide and diverse group of friends is a good strategy to have social support for all their interests and pursuits. Let’s face it, we can all use more friends and social support!