Fourteen UT San Antonio students recently returned from New York City with top honors after competing in the National Model United Nations (NMUN) conference. This trip represents the fourth time a Roadrunner delegation with the UT San Antonio Model UN Society has competed at the national level since 2019. UT San Antonio’s delegation joined an assembly of more than 2,800 students representing universities from across the globe.
The intense week-long event provides a phenomenal hands-on learning opportunity for its participants, allowing them to apply theoretical knowledge to simulated real-world scenarios. The program emphasizes the development of practical skills that translate outside the classroom. Students spent long hours refining their public speaking and mastering the art of negotiation. By stepping into the roles of diplomats, they learned to navigate the nuances of international relations while building their confidence as well-informed, engaged global citizens.
UT San Antonio’s group spent months preparing to represent the West African nation of Cameroon, diving into the complexities of domestic politics, history and culture, international diplomacy and the specific policy goals of their assigned nation.
Working within seven distinct United Nations bodies, the Roadrunners tackled a range of global challenges. Their assignments included the General Assembly and the Non-Proliferation Treaty Review Conference, where they negotiated on pressing issues to produce collaborative resolutions. The experience forced participants to step beyond their own perspectives and practice the delicate balance of active listening and diplomatic dialogue. The process encourages a high level of empathy as students must advocate for positions that may differ from their own personal opinion.
“Model UN is a wonderful experiential learning opportunity that helps students become more aware as global citizens, learn about the UN in hands-on ways, and work together on complex issues,” said Matthias Hofferberth, professor in Global Affairs and faculty advisor for the Model UN Society. “We need all of this now more than ever, and being able to do this in New York City just adds to the experience.”
The conference culminated in a closing ceremony held at the iconic UN General Assembly Hall. During this final gathering, the UTSA delegation was presented with the Distinguished Delegation Award. This recognition stands as the second-highest achievement possible in the intercollegiate competition. Furthermore, the commitment to rigorous preparation was evident when two students earned the Best Position Paper Award for their exceptional research and writing.
Junior global affairs major Aliyah Masry said that the National Model United Nations conference provided her a heartfelt lesson in international diplomacy. Masry viewed the experience as a clear example of how multicultural communication translates into professional settings, especially while collaborating with students from different countries to solve global problems. She noted that these shared moments served as a reminder of our common human connections.
“We all have a lot more in common than we think,” Masry said, “and we are really all navigating life together.”
Suzanna Bridges, a senior English major with a concentration in professional writing and a minor in Russian, said the experience helped affirmed her academic and professional path. Coming back from the experience, Bridges is now more confident than ever to pursue graduate studies at the Bush School of Government and Public Service, where she plans to focus on international affairs and diplomacy.
“My coursework has trained me to think critically, communicate clearly, and adapt my voice across different audiences, which are skills that proved essential in a diplomatic setting like NMUN,” Bridges said.
Students interested in exploring international relations or sharpening their debate skills are encouraged to engage with the UT San Antonio Model UN Society. The organization provides a platform for students of all majors to discuss global affairs and prepare for future competitions. The society also hosts the annual Alamo Model UN Conference which allows students to step up as delegates at UT San Antonio.
