PEERS - College Connect

Wednesdays | September 16-December 9
6:00 PM-7:30 PM EST | Virtual (Zoom links will be provided closer to program start date)
$1500 per participant

Participants would also be invited to attend an in-person social event, once per month, on Saint Joseph's University Hawk Hill Campus in Philadelphia, PA. 

Each 90-minute session is delivered via a live video platform and includes three core components: skill-based instruction, guided role-play, and a social practice lab. 

Skill-based Instruction: Participants learn practical, research-backed strategies for situations commonly expressed in college settings - such as initiating conversations with peers, forming friendships, navigating group projects, communicating digitally, managing conflict, and handling rejection or social anxiety. Facilitators model each skill and break it down into clear, actionable steps that translate easily to both in-person and online interactions.

Guided role-play: Participants actively practice new skills through realistic scenarios (e.g. joining a study group, messaging a classmate, or attending a campus event virtually), while receiving immediate, supportive feedback from facilitators and peers.

Social Practice Lab: Participants apply their skills in more natural, interactive format. Activities may include small group discussions, collaborative challenges, social games, and guided networking-style interactions using breakout rooms. These experiences are designed to promote authentic connection, increase comfort in social settings, and support skill generalization beyond the group. 

Participants are encouraged to set weekly goals and practice skills in their daily lives, whether on campus, in internships, or through online communities. By combining direct instruction with meaningful, real-time practice, College Connect helps students build lasting social confidence, develop meaningful relationships, and feel more connected in their college experience. 

Participants must: 

• Be 18-30 years old and be a current college student enrolled in a degree or certificate program.

• Demonstrate an interest in building social skills, friendships, and confidence in college or young adult settings.

• Be willing to participate in group discussions, role-play activities, and social practice.

• Be able to communicate effectively in a virtual group setting using spoken language or another reliable communication method. 

• Have access to a reliable internet connection and a device capable of participating in live video sessions.

• Be able to participate safely and respectfully in a 90-minute virtual group without requiring continuous one-to-one support.

• Demonstrate the ability to benefit from direct instruction, coaching, and peer feedback.

• Commit to attending weekly virtual sessions, and when possible, monthly in-person social events on Saint Joseph's University Hawk Hill Campus (for students local to SJU).

College Connect is designed for college who want to strengthen their social skills, improve peer relationships, and gain confidence navigating the social aspects of college and adult life. The program may not be appropriate for individuals who require intensive behavioral or clinical support beyond the scope of a structured social skills group.