About Us
Campus Connections Therapeutic Youth Mentoring program is a high-impact service learning course (3 credits) at Colorado State University and a program serving local youth. Campus Connections was developed in 2009 in response to a community request for additional services for youth experiencing difficulties. CC is an innovative core service for youth exposed to adversities providing mentoring in a unique structure which includes mentor mentees pairs being part of a mentor family (four pairs) with youth of similar ages, exposure to a college campus, academic support, dinner, pro-social activities, and integrated mental health services. Youth are referred from the juvenile system, schools, human services, and many other providers who recognize the tremendous benefits of therapeutic mentoring for youth.
Since launching, over 2,300 youth and over 3,000 CSU students have participated in Campus Connections. CC has an active research program with impressive outcomes for both University students and youth. CC is an award-winning program at the locally and nationally.
Campus Connections is now a licensed program operating at other Universities including the University of Northern Colorado, University of Colorado at Colorado Springs, University of Auckland in New Zealand, and CSU-Pueblo (beginning August 2019). Other Universities in Colorado, across the United States, and internationally are in the process of bringing CC to their campuses.
The CC leadership team includes Shelley Haddock, Ph.D., Jen Krafchick, Ph.D., Mackenzie Miller, M.S., Toni Zimmerman, Ph.D. from CSU Department of Human Development and Family Studies and Lindsey Weiler, Ph.D. from the University of Minnesota, and Lise Youngblade, Ph.D. Dean College of Health and Human Sciences
Campus Connections Program Overview
Learn more about our structured mentoring program and schedule.
Campus Connections Research and Awards
Campus Connections is grounded in research and best practices for youth mentoring and therapy with youth who have experienced adverse experiences. CC conducts rigorous research to maximize the intervention effects. The program develops, tests, and disseminates its unique contributions to the youth mentoring field.
Our Sponsors
In addition to Colorado State University, Campus Connections is funded in part by the Bohemian Foundation, United Way, Tony Grampsas Youth Services Program, and Larimer County Behavioral Health (links to each below).
