2025 College Councils Conference

September 26th - 28th, 2025

Ambassadors for Christ

Held annually since 1966, the College Councils Conference brings college Knights together from across North America. Attendees participate in a dynamic program of prayer, inspiring speakers, networking opportunities, and leadership training. This year’s conference will be held in New Haven, Connecticut, on Friday, September 26th to Sunday, September 28th.

Conference registrants will attend our annual Awards Banquet where we announce the Outstanding College Council Award winners as well as the winners of several other prestigious awards. Attendees can also look forward to keynote addresses, training sessions, panels, and main stage presentations on council best practices, leadership development, and living as a Catholic gentleman. This trip to the birthplace of our Order will also include a visit to the Blessed Michael McGivney Pilgrimage Center and Mass at St. Mary’s Church - the burial site of Blessed Michael J. McGivney. At this conference you will have the opportunity to meet, network, and exchange ideas with over 200 college council leaders from nearly 100 councils across North America and exchange ideas and best practices with them.

Each college council should plan to send two students and their chaplain to this year’s conference. The Supreme Council will arrange travel, food, and lodging for two students, and the council chaplain. Please indicate on the registration page where you will be traveling from to ensure correct travel bookings. The goal is to have all attendees arrive no later than 6:00pm Eastern time.

For more information, please contact the College Councils Department at college@kofc.org

Agenda

Agenda of Events

60^th College Councils Conference
Friday, September 26th - Sunday, September 28th, 2025

On Friday night, you will arrive by 6:00 PM to enjoy an evening of celebration with the awards banquet in the ballroom of the Omni Hotel. The banquet will include addresses by both the Supreme Knight and our keynote speaker, as well as announcements of star councils, program award winners, and the Outstanding College Council winner! The evening will then culminate with a casino-themed social event.

Saturday will feature Mass, guest speakers, informative panel discussions, and breakout sessions. The evening will start with a Eucharistic procession, a beautiful Vigil Mass at St. Mary's, birthplace of the order and resting place of Blessed Michael McGivney. After Mass we will move to the Blessed McGivney Pilgrimage Center for a catered reception.

Sunday will begin with a Sacred Heart Holy Hour in the ballroom and will be followed by breakfast and a few words by Fr. John Kalisch on the life of Bl. Fr. McGivney. The conference will then conclude with a talk from the worthy Supreme Master, Michael McCusker.

Make sure you register and book your travel soon!

Breakout Sessions

Panel Discussion

Panel Discussion 1: Fraternal Operations

Council leadership & engagement is very important.

What are effective ways in which council Grand Knights and leaders can engage their Catholic communities on campus through meaningful programming? How does strong leadership and management lead to a successful fraternal year, especially in pursuit of the Star Council Award?

In this panel, you will hear from members of the Fraternal Operations team, who will discuss current & popular programs & resources for college councils, as well as how to cultivate strong leadership, communication & management when it comes to managing & organizing the fraternal year.

Panel Discussion 2: Evangelization and Faith Formation

“At a time when men are falling away from the faith in high numbers, the Knights offers a chance to build strong friends around what matters most.” - Supreme Knight, Patrick Kelly.

As Knights, building Christ-centered brotherhood through prayer, faith formation & fraternity is vital to supporting both the life of the council & of the Church on campus. Having a strong sense of mission & identity is key to growing as true men of faith.

In this panel, you will hear from members of the Evangelization & Faith Formation team who will discuss building Christ-centered brotherhood & mission through Cor, our new men’s faith formation initiative designed to help men encounter Christ. You will also learn how Cor can be helpful in your efforts to engage with other Catholic groups on campus, such as campus ministry & FOCUS & how to work with your chaplains to support the mission of faith on campus.

Panel Discussion 3: Membership and Growth

Ensuring continuity & longevity for the life of the council is vital to both the Knights of Columbus & the Catholic communities we serve on campus.

In this panel, you will hear from members of our Membership & Growth team on successful recruitment & engagement practices on campus, such as membership drives & social media, as well as ways in you can engage state & local leadership to assist your council as it continues to grow & thrive.

Lodging and Travel Information

Lodging

Attendees to the 2025 College Councils Conference will stay at the Omni New Haven Hotel (155 Temple Street). Your online registration serves as your room reservation for Friday and Saturday night. Please note that even though your room will be included on the Supreme Council’s master bill, the hotel will need a credit card to keep on file for incidentals.

Student representatives from the same school will occupy a room together. A lone representative from one school will be paired with another sole representative from another campus. Chaplains will receive single-room accommodation. Due to space limitations, State College Coordinators will be roomed with other State College Coordinators.

Please note that due to the collegiate and fraternal nature of this event, we cannot arrange for wives or other family members to attend.

Travel Information

The supreme council will coordinate bussing for conference attendees to and from the airport. You will arrive to the Omni (155 Temple Street) by 5:00pm Friday in time for the banquet and leave by 12:00pm Sunday following the conclusion of the conference. Please have your bags packed and be prepared to leave by this time.

Those arriving by train will walk to the Omni (155 Temple Street) from the train station (3-5 blocks, station dependent). Alternatively, you can take a taxi/Uber/Lyft. This will cost about $5-10 (not reimbursed).

Traveling by Car

Should you prefer to drive from campus, please make your way to the Omni (155 Temple Street).

There is self-parking available at the hotel for $23.00 per night. The supreme council will cover this expense for those driving to the conference.

Any questions or concerns regarding lodging should be directed to the College Councils Department at college@kofc.org

Reimbursement Procedures

The Supreme Council will cover the Conference Fee (hotel/meals) AND the cost of travel. We will book this for you. Include the city from which you will be travelling in your registration so that we may book your travel, or indicate that you are driving. TRAVEL NOT BOOKED BY THE SUPREME OFFICE WILL NOT BE REIMBURSED. Those who drive should coordinate with the college team. Drivers traveling less than 250 miles will be reimbursed mileage, but will be required to complete a form W-9.

Conference History

Held annually since 1966, the College Councils Conference brings college Knights together from across the country and around the world. Attendees participate in a dynamic program of inspiring speakers, networking opportunities, and leadership training.