NMSU Model United Nations extends long-standing streak of top honors
New Mexico State University’s Model United Nations team earned top honors at a national conference, continuing a streak that spans nearly two decades.
Team earns top honor at national conference, continuing decades-long streak of recognition
Sarah Kimmerly, New Mexico State University
LAS CRUCES - Delegations from around the world convened in New York this April for the annual National Model United Nations conference. The New Mexico State University Model United Nations team worked tirelessly to prepare, and their hard work was recognized with the highest recognition given by the conference — the Outstanding Delegation Award.
The 2026 Model U.N. event continued NMSU’s long-term winning streak. The team has secured top honors in 19 of the last 20 years, only missing 2020 due to the COVID pandemic cancellation.
“Participating in the Model U.N. provides students with first-hand experiences of how to engage with and tackle some of the most pressing, global problems of our times such as climate change, terrorism, and nuclear proliferation," said Sabine Hirschauer, MUN advisor and international relations and security studies associate professor. "It also gives our students the opportunity to hone their public speaking skills and work within groups to find constructive solutions. I credit our team's success to the tremendous dedication and passion of our students.”
This year, the Model U.N. team consisted of 10 students representing majors from political science and international business to English and sociology. Returning students Jasmine Padilla, Ruben Morales Jr., Gracie Thomas, Will Whitworth and Landon Gallegos were joined by five new students: Ruby Arce, Marissa Bencomo, Sofia Gonzalez, Bogi Szalai and Trenton White.
Together, they simulated the delegation of Barbados on six different U.N. committees: General Assembly 1: Disarmament and International Security, General Assembly 2: Economic and Financial, General Assembly 3: Social, Humanitarian and Cultural, the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean, the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty and the U.N. Environmental Assembly.
“What I've learned most is how to lead and how to grow,” said Jasmine Padilla, a senior studying government and MUN president. “Watching myself develop alongside this team has been one of the most rewarding parts of my entire collegiate experience. This award belongs to every single person on this team, and I couldn't be prouder of what we built together.”
The conference was the culmination of the team’s hard work and preparation. They spent a year practicing real-world diplomacy, conducting thorough research and honing their public speaking skills.
“It’s one thing to prepare, write, and research, but it’s another to apply all of that under pressure while working with people who think differently, communicate differently, and approach problems from completely different angles,” said MUN Vice President Ruben Morales Jr, a junior double majoring in justice, political philosophy and law as well as sociology. “I learned how to trust my voice while also knowing when to take a step back and listen.”
“Throughout this experience I learned how to better advocate for my beliefs and interests, and how to work with many diverse views and ideas,” said Marissa Bencomo, a freshman studying justice, political philosophy and law. “I also learned how to rely on my team members and be a more supportive collaborator. Winning this recognition means we get to carry on the outstanding decades-long legacy of AggieMUN. I am so proud that my team has been recognized for their dedication and hard work, and I know this will only encourage us to keep improving.”
Sarah Kimmerly writes for New Mexico State University. She can be reached at kimmerly@nmsu.edu.
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