91Âþ»­app

Georgia Southern Model UN team wins big at national conference 

Diverse group of students taking a selfie in a UN conference hall, holding a Czechia sign.

91Âþ»­app is once again setting the standard for excellence at the National Model United Nations Conference in New York, receiving outstanding delegation distinction for the 15th year in a row. 

“Our success is due to the quality of our students,” said Barry Balleck, Ph.D., team advisor and professor of politics and international studies. “They have a passion for Model UN and they believe in the diplomatic process. They have not been jaded to believe that diplomacy is weakness and that international cooperation is passé.”

Georgia Southern has one of the longest-running Model United Nations programs in the country, beginning in 1972. Balleck says that the team’s wins this year have just reinforced what he’s known since he started leading the program 30 years ago. 

“Our students can match up to students from any university anywhere in the world,” Balleck said. “The difference between our students and others is that they have a passion for Model UN and for the standard of excellence that we have set in this program. We emphasize every year that our students are not just representing themselves in any particular year; they are representing the legacy of the Model UN established by 91Âþ»­app.”

The weight of that responsibility is heavy, but Balleck says it’s a crucial tool in preparing students for their future. 

“Our students learn research, writing and critical thinking skills that help them in whatever profession they choose,” he explained. “I have students who are teachers, diplomats, doctors, lawyers, government officials, peace corps volunteers, lobbyists — the list goes on and on.” 

Those skills helped the Georgia Southern team stand out at the conference this year, bringing home multiple awards in categories like Outstanding Distinction for Position Paper Writing and Outstanding Delegate Distinction in Committee. Balleck says the group is already preparing for next year.  

“Our delegation will be conducting three middle and high school conferences next academic year,” he said. “These conferences will bring nearly 1,200 students to 91Âþ»­app. Then we’ll attend the National Model United Nations (NMUN) Conference next year in New York City at the end of March 2027.”

That will mark Balleck’s 31st year with the organization. After all this time, he still says that Model UN is the best academic tool he’s ever been associated with. 

“It teaches students advanced methods in public speaking, research, technical writing and diplomacy,” he said. “In my opinion, the experiential components of Model UN are unmatched by any other experience.”

Winners include:

OUTSTANDING DELEGATION

  • Becerra, Ruby
  • Benyehudah, Ellie
  • Busboom, Emma
  • Chavvakula, Varshita
  • Collins, Logan — Assistant Advisor
  • Dykes, Kierstin
  • Franco, Jaelly
  • Gibbs, Amiyah
  • Hill, Xenovia
  • Mason, Natassia
  • Millan Merchan, Jorge
  • Moore, Chloe
  • Norman, Malachi
  • Pagelsen, Logan
  • Roberts, Lily
  • Rumsey, Ava
  • Sherrill, Jacob
  • Taylor-Williams, Ariana — Head Delegate
  • Wheeler, Jaden
  • Williams, Emma
  • Balleck, Barry — Advisor

OUTSTANDING POSITION PAPER WRITING 

General Assembly Third Committee (GA3)

  • Chavvakula, Varshita
  • Pagelsen, Logan

Commission on the Status of Women (CSW)

  • Dykes, Kiersten
  • Hill, Xenovia

Human Rights Committee (HRC)

  • Williams, Emma
  • Roberts, Lily

OUTSTANDING DELEGATES IN COMMITTEE

General Assembly First Committee (GA1)

  • Millan Merchan, Jorge
  • Franco, Jaelly

Commission on the Status of Women (CSW)

  • Dykes, Kiersten
  • Hill, Xenovia

Human Rights Committee (HRC)

  • Williams, Emma
  • Roberts, Lily

United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO)

  • Becerra, Ruby
  • Mason, Nattassia

United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR)

  • Benyehudah, Ellie
  • Moore, Chloe