By Jaymes Grace
The Catalyst 2025 Conference welcomed the Phi Theta Kappa community for a fun, informative time. The conference included keynote speakers Steve Burns from “Blue’s Clues” and Miguel Cervantes from “Hamilton”, as well as scholarships, the energy of the Hallmark Awards Gala and the excitement of who would be the newly elected International Officer Team.
As an active Phi Theta Kappa (PTK) member, I got to be there for every part of it! It was a real treat and an eye opening experience. This year’s conference was held in Kansas City, MO. The conference officially began on April 3, but to allow for travel, Pima Community College generously paid for my accommodations to include travel and stay on April 2.
Oh, had I not yet mentioned that Pima Community College paid for everything? As an active PTK member, PCC invited me to attend the conference gratis. This included my four night stay in the conference hotel, Loews Kansas City. This hotel was so nice, that upon my return home, I looked up four star hotels to see just what kind of hotels I had been staying in! PCC paid for my air travel along with giving me a generous food allowance that I received before I left for Kansas City.
I would have gone for the hotel stay alone, but there was much more that I got to experience. A proposal I had submitted was accepted and I was able to give a presentation I had written on leadership and fundraising. It was in and of itself an amazing experience, aside from the fact that now that invaluable experience looks great on my academic resume! I also was chosen as the Voting Delegate for our PTK Chapter— a unique experience that I really appreciated.
If any of my experiences sound exciting to you, consider becoming involved in PTK and you could perhaps be taking a free trip to Baltimore for the Annual PTK Conference in 2026!