FIU Model UN team ranks seventh in North America, first in Florida


The FIU Model United Nations (MUN) team has been ranked seventh “Best Delegate” in North America by BestDelegate.com.

The education company also ranked FIU MUN as the top team from the state of Florida, followed by Florida State University and the University of Florida, in this year’s 2012-2013 Final College Rankings.

FIU Model UN 2102-2013

FIU’s Model UN delegates compete at the National Model United Nations in the UN Headquarters in New York.

“We are delighted that FIU’s Model UN team has ranked seventh ‘Best Delegate’ this year,” said John Stack, executive director of the School of International and Public Affairs. “It is remarkable considering this has been a year of rebuilding for the team. This just shows the extraordinary leadership and commitment from our students.”

Led by program directors Ana R. Portal and Aaron Heria, the FIU MUN delegates competed in the Columbia Model United Nations Conference and Exposition, Boston Invitational Model United Nations Conference, University of Pennsylvania Model United Nations Conference, University of North Carolina Model United Nations Conference, Harvard Model United Nations, Model United Nations of the University of Chicago, and National Model United Nations this past academic year. It was the first time in FIU MUN history the group’s program directors were also students.

“The 2012-2013 team was comprised of more underclassmen and first-semester delegates than ever before,” Portal said. “These students rose to the challenge with unrivaled commitment and dedication to make it a successful year.”

Mark Hodgson, a junior, had a stellar first year after he joined the FIU MUN team in the Fall 2012 semester and won two first place “Best Delegate” awards. In spring 2013, he also placed first “Best Delegate” at Harvard  for a combined three awards. Ethan Roberts, also a junior, broke FIU MUN records by winning “Best Delegate” awards at Harvard and Chicago, two of the most competitive conferences in the circuit, in his very first semester in Spring 2013.

“Our first-semester delegates joined a top ranked team, but they wanted to create their own legacy,” Heria said. “We work very hard to find talent and train students, but, ultimately, they succeed through hard work. It was a transformative process for all involved.”

FIU MUN is a political science course that provides an interactive environment engrossing students in the different aspects of political and international affairs. It is supported by the College of Arts & Sciences, School of International and Public Affairs and Student Government Association. FIU MUN is currently recruiting for the Fall 2013 semester and is open to all majors. For more information and an application click here.

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