NMUN ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT
NMUN is a great experience!! Check out the experiences of past NMUN delegates!!!
Loc Nguyen
(Delegate 2024, Delegate for one term)
Being a part of the National Model UN Team at Cal Poly Pomona opened my perspective on how global cooperation has the power to steer the advancement of humanity. This team is the place to be for good fun, meet great people, and experience fantastic opportunities to grow holistically through diplomacy and collaboration with people from all around the world at the Annual New York Spring Conference. Best of all, our Model UN team is open to all majors and considering that I'm hailing from an engineering background, it's an enriching experience that can add colors to anyone with an appetite for adventure.
Loc was a part of the team for the Spring 24 term and is currently majoring in Computer Science. He is planning on beginning a study abroad trip to South Korea!!!
Gregor Burnett
(Delegate 2024, delegate for one term)
Gregor came onto the team Spring 24 as a study abroad student from the Scotland. Despite his short time at Cal Poly Pomona, he made his mark in NMUN!!
When I first thought about getting involved in NMUN, I was nervous as I was unsure what the team did and what it entailed. I definitely never expected it would become a highlight of my college experience and stay with me forever. Joining the team was a way for me to really challenge myself and push me out of my comfort zone. I cannot recommend the team enough to anyone considering it as you not only grow so close to every member of the team, but you get to meet people from all over the world during the conference. It was such a rewarding experience, and getting to attend the conference in New York and visit the United Nations Headquarters feels like a real accomplishment after you work hard for so long.
The conference in New York is the grand finale and one of the best parts, it really lets you put everything you've been learning in class into real situations. I found the harder you work in class in preparation, the more enjoyable New York is. I made sure to listen to every piece of advice I received from my head delegates as they not only guided me, but became good friends. You could not be in better hands with Professor Scarcelli as the academic advisor who is more than happy to help with anything you need. My only regret from the experience is I was only able to be on the team for one year before flying home to Scotland.
Kailey Gonzalez
(Delegate 2023-)
Being a member of the Model United Nations team has been one of the best experiences here at Cal Poly Pomona. I personally looked for a community that would help me grow as a student and challenge me academically, and NMUN has certainly done that. In dedicating time to improve my public speaking, writing and performance skills, I feel more confident in myself. Aside from the long nights I've spent in the library, I have been able to create friendships that will last a lifetime. I'll forever be grateful for the opportunity to travel to New York where I've participated in a conference that has given me the privilege of meeting incredible people from around the world. I thank Model United Nations for broadening my knowledge and inspiring me to one day work under the U.N.
Majoring in political science and starting NMUN as a freshmen, Kailey has been on the team for almost two years and is a GA3 veteran!!!
Diana Alfaro
(Delegate 2023-2025, Delegate for two years)
My time in NMUN has been my favorite part of college. I’ve met amazing people from around the world and made many great friends. Conference is challenging and exciting, and I have many wonderful memories from our free time in New York afterwards. When I first applied for the team as a freshman, I was unsure about whether I was qualified or not. The team has such an outstanding reputation and I was afraid I wouldn’t be up to par. But after making the team the first time, I put my all into improving my public speaking, reading, and research skills. It’s tiring, it’s hard, but watching yourself and your fellow delegates grow and excel in conferences makes the long nights and endless hours of class time worth it. NMUN has helped me refine skills necessary for a successful career and has exposed me to different opportunities in international relations. I’ve learned so much from my fellow delegates, and I could not be more thankful for the opportunity I’ve been given to serve on this team.
Diana started on the team almost 2 years ago as a Freshmen and is currently majoring in political science and working towards graduation.
Kolton Kladifko
(Delegate 2021-2022, Delegate for 1 year)
Kolton (left) alongside partner Melane (right) at the 2022 NMUN conference in New York.
Being a part of the Model UN Team was one of the highlights of my time at Cal Poly Pomona. It gave me the opportunity to experience new perspectives from my peers around the world and grow closer to my peers at home. Spending long nights in the library working on papers seems daunting at first but I found that I instantly connected with the other students and had a great time. It’s also much easier to spend late nights in the library knowing that it's all leading to the trip to New York.
I originally felt out of place in Model UN since International Relations was not my focus for my degree. However, I soon found out that having different perspectives, opinions, and backgrounds only makes the team stronger. Anything essential for the conference is easy to pick up if you stay committed to the team. Despite the amount of work that gets crammed into half a semester, it's an invaluable experience for anyone looking to broaden their horizons. Looking back, I learned so much in such a short time and was able to make friends that lasted long after graduation.
Carly Owens
(Head Delegate 2015-2016, Delegate for 3 years)
Model UN was one of the best experiences of my college career. It opened my eyes to the world around me, taught me to always look at the big picture and showed me the importance of diversity and collaboration. While the thought of discussing world problems at length is depressing to some, for me it was empowering because once problems are understood, solutions can be found. Working with students from all over the world to find these solutions was a unique experience that would be hard to replicate anywhere else.
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When I first started in the program, I didn't know anything about industrial development, the fight for gender equality, or the global food supply. But that's exactly what's so unique about this program: if you're willing to do the work, the knowledge you come away with is valuable beyond the classroom: it will help you become a better problem solver and global citizen. The NMUN program changed my life and equipped me to be a world-changer, no matter where my career takes me.
Carly (right) with her NMUN partner Chris (left)
at the 2015 NMUN conference
Melissa Petersen
(Head Delegate 2014-2015 Delegate for 3 years)
Melissa (left) with co-head delegate Daniel (right)
at the 2015 NMUN conference
National Model United Nations is a highly dynamic, international program that creates a sort of experience that won't be found anywhere else. As a former member of Cal Poly Pomona's team, we have always made it a priority to accomplish award-winning recognition year after year, and as a result, we have become well-respected among the NMUN community. Our delegates have also created life-long friendships with students from all parts of the world. For instance, while studying abroad, I visited friends I had made during NMUN and have continued to stay in touch. These friendships have allowed me to continuously learn about our world and even receive pertinent advice on my current graduate school applications.
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My role as a delegate and head delegate in Cal Poly Pomona's NMUN team has lead to a fellowship in Washington, D.C., incredible internships with nonprofits and political offices, and my current position at L.A. City Hall. As you can tell, there's something about having NMUN experience on one's resume.
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Because of NMUN I have learned more about myself as a leader, as a follower, as a millennial in a globalizing world and as a activist for meaningful change. I am confident in my writing and public speaking, I am intellectually engaged in international affairs, and since my time with NMUN, I am determined to work for the United Nations by the end of my career.
Leona Hill
(2014-2015 NMUN Delegate)
I'd actually been aware of NMUN since high school and it had played a factor in selecting Cal Poly Pomona for my undergrad, although I didn't apply until my last year. I'll be the first to admit that I was incredibly nervous but it turned out to be one of my best experiences of my college career. I got significantly better at public speaking, and consolidating my ideas in writing. It's honestly something I'm always asked about on my resume and I love talking about it! After graduating from Cal Poly Pomona as a Political Science major, I moved back to Seattle and I now work with the State Attorney General’s Office. Beyond the advantages it provided to my career, I made so many great friends who I'm still in touch with to this day, and going to New York with all my friends is an experience I'll never forget!
Leona (right) with her NMUN partner Stephanie (left)
at the 2015 NMUN conference
William Acosta
(2015-2016 NMUN Delegate )
William (left) with fellow NMUN delegates Sarah (middle) and Ferry (right) at the 2016 NMUN conference
I can, with all honesty and no cynicism, say that participating in the National Model United Nations was among the best experience of my college career. Where else can you get an almost all expenses paid trip to New York, but that in and of itself was not all that made this an enriching experience. For one, this team necessitates the use of many skills that are critical to success in college, for instance research, writing, speaking, and debate. Additionally, these skills must be exercised collaboratively, with both teammates and strangers, if there is to be any hope for success.
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Perhaps I am being a bit overdramatic and dull, but I can say this for certain. While there is a lot of work, a lot of late hours, and a lot of stressful situations and jittering nerves, there are very few experiences in my college career that were as fulfilling as this. Not only did I get to meet new and great people (from all over the world), but I saw Phil Jackson eating a burger just a few feet from me (although I didn’t know who he was until later), I got to explore one of the most fascinating and famous cities in the world, and I got to sit in the General Assembly of the United Nations. I can go on about the nuances of what made this experience great, but that will be for you to explore and discover. My only regret is that I could only do it once.
The key to the most amazing door is at your fingertips, all you need to do is reach out and take it.
Jose Contreras
(2015-2016 NMUN Delegate Delegate for 2 years)
Jose (left) with fellow NMUN delegate Rima (right)
at the 2016 NMUN conference
I would not be the person I am today, without the experience that the Model United Nations team at Cal Poly Pomona has given me. The Model United Nations team offers you a chance to think critically about issues that affect the world, and articulate a particular stance or point on that issue. These debate aspects have allowed me to develop both my public speaking skills and my interactions with others. While Model United Nations can foster competition, it can also foster cooperation, understanding, and patience. These skills have allowed me to overcome many obstacles when working with others and attempting to understand different perspectives. The Model United Nations program also encourages leadership which further impacted my experience as I was able to interview for a leadership position and obtain it and help my peers. On top of this, Model United Nations forces you to become adept at researching and writing concisely, which has been extremely helpful when writing professionally and in school. And of course as an added perk, you get to travel and meet so many wonderful people.