Georgia Southern University is 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 Georgia Southern University.”
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 Georgia Southern University. 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
- Ruby Becerra
- Ellie Benyehudah
- Emma Busboom
- Varshita Chavvakula
- Logan Collins — Assistant Advisor
- Kierstin Dykes
- Jaelly Franco
- Amiyah Gibbs
- Xenovia Hill
- Natassia Mason
- Jorge Millan Merchan
- Chloe Moore • Malachi Norman
- Logan Pagelsen
- Lily Roberts
- Ava Rumsey
- Jacob Sherrill
- Ariana Taylor-Williams — Head Delegate
- Jaden Wheeler
- Emma Williams
- Barry Balleck — Advisor OUTSTANDING POSITION PAPER WRITING
General Assembly Third Committee (GA3)
- Varshita Chavvakula
- Logan Pagelsen
Commission on the Status of Women (CSW)
- Kierstin Dykes
- Xenovia Hill
Human Rights Committee (HRC)
- Emma Williams
- Lily Roberts
OUTSTANDING DELEGATES IN COMMITTEE
General Assembly First Committee (GA1)
- Jorge Millan Merchan
- Jaelly Franco
Commission on the Status of Women (CSW)
- Kierstin Dykes
- Xenovia Hill
Human Rights Committee (HRC)
- Emma Williams
- Lily Roberts
United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO)
- Ruby Becerra
- Natassia Mason United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR)
- Ellie Benyehudah
- Chloe Moore