FIU Model UN students awarded all-star status

FIU’s No. 1 ranked Model UN team has consistently topped the charts as one of the best Model UN programs in the United States and the leading team in Florida for more than a decade.

Recently, three members were elected into the American Collegiate Model UN All-Star Team by Best Delegate – a special accolade in honor of their hard work and commitment.

As part of the All-Star Team the FIU delegates will compete in the College All-Stars Model United Nations Conference (CASMUNC) on May 30. This will be a virtual conference and the proceeds will go to Model United Nations scholarships and the World Health Organization’s COVID-19 Solidarity Response Fund.

Junior Daniel Sixto and sophomore Alex Anacki earned first team distinction surpassing delegates from schools such as Georgetown, Harvard and Cornell. Recent graduate Katerina Geisler earned second team recognition.  

FIU is one of only a handful of schools to get two spots on the first team in this prestigious Collegiate Model UN All-Star Team.

“The FIU Model United Nation’s team competes at competitions across North America alongside [top Ivy League schools]. Eventually, you start to make connections and gain friendships across this entire terrain,” said Geisler, who graduated this spring with a degree in international relations and political science.

At the end of every spring semester, students who are a part of collegiate Model UN are given the opportunity to reflect on prominent leaders, friends and colleagues from any school that competed at these competitions.

During this reflection period delegates nominate fellow peers who represent the, “best and most respected leaders in the community,” explains Best Delegate.

The delegates who earn the most number of votes are divided into three tiers in their all-star team acknowledgment – first team, second team and third team.

“Being on the all-star team entails a level of responsibility in and out of FIU,’’ said Sixto, upcoming president of FIU’s Model UN and a junior studying history and international relations. "Most importantly, within FIU, it's [crucial] to continue and build off the skills we've learned since we started on the team. We have to show responsibility, dedication and lead by example both in and out of the classroom.”

At FIU, Model United Nations is centered around an international relations course supervised by John F. Stack Jr., founding dean of the  Steven J. Green School of International & Public Affairs and faculty advisor for the program. It is funded by the FIU Student Government Association.

Being a part of Model United Nations has taught the students valuable skills that have helped them personally and professionally.

“Learning effective research skills, public speaking abilities and professional development has already aided in my ability to apply and secure both jobs and internships,” said Geisler.

“I've learned to become a confident public speaker, respectful of others' opinions and contributions, empowering to those ideas they bring to the table, and able to effectively research complex topics and communicate them using simpler terms,” added Sixto. “This experience shows FIU's ability to educate students to be successful in ways that go far beyond the classroom.”

As the situation with COVID-19 continues, many future conferences will be held virtually until further notice.

“I have been doing Model UN for 6 years now,” said Anacki, political science and international relations double major. “I could not imagine being where I am without it; it has opened doors and made me more aware of the world around me.”