UNC Pembroke student delegates won three awards at the 2023 Southern Regional Model United Nations (SRMUN) Conference in Charlotte. UNCP also brought home hardware from the Southeast Regional Model Arab League conference at Converse College.

UNCP, who represented the country of Oman, brought home the award for Outstanding Position Paper and Honorable Delegation. Aspen Andersson was named outstanding chair. Also representing the SRMUN were Sharon Daminabo, Ethan Deese, Jose Perez, Katie Aguilar Manueles, Kristian Johnson, Anesu Mavhiya, Magally Ortiz-Rojas, Renee Smith, X-Zavier Evans and Tyree Hilliard.

At the Model Arab League Conference, UNCP won an award for Distinguished Delegation for their performance on the Economic Affairs Council. UNCP’s delegation included Kubuza Adi, Zion Barnes, Jordan Colvin, Cleyda Hilariopatricio, Gillian Long, Jose Perez, Renee Smith, Larkin Summerour, Rahsaan Vereen and Jordan Walker.

During the events, participants were tasked with creating resolutions to international issues. Dr. Josiah Marineau, an associate professor of Political Science and faculty advisor for the Model UN program, said the skills the students learned at the conferences would continue to serve them on campus, in the community and in their careers. 

“Our students performed at a very high level this year,” Marineau said. “We had a great balance between veteran students who had participated in previous years and a cohort of first-year students. The veterans stepped up and mentored the first-year students. We also had strong leadership regarding our head delegates, Renee Smith and Aspen Andersson.

“The perseverance they demonstrated at the conference will serve them well as they progress through their education and careers,” Marineau said.