News Release

Santiago Canyon College’s Model UN Students Win Big at Annual Conference

(Orange, CA) - Santiago Canyon College’s Model United Nations program captured the top award, Outstanding Delegation, and eight additional awards at the 2017 National Model United Nations (NMUN) Model UN conference in Washington, D.C. November 3-5. Seventeen students represented the college by serving as delegates for South Africa.

More than 1,000 students from over 70 college campuses, mostly top universities throughout the United States, attended. According to SCC’s Model United Nations advisor, assistant professor of political science Cale Crammer, this was the team’s first time in three years participating in the event. In addition to the top award, SCC won six position paper awards, two individual committee awards, and the highest percentage of eligible awards of any school in attendance.

Each year, the conference tackles real life problems affecting the world. This year’s topics included: cybersecurity and the threat of cyberwarfare, illicit trafficking of small arms and light weapons, protection of the environment in areas affected by armed conflict, safeguarding the oceans, minimizing the negative impacts of globalization, the social responsibility of multinational corporations, nuclear technology and water security, improving the effectiveness of safeguards and verification mechanisms, addressing the needs of the internally displaced and improving housing, and food security for urban refugees, among other global issues.

“I came out of this conference never feeling more sure of my capabilities, confidence, intellect and future,” said SCC student Alexandrea Holland, who won an award for Outstanding Position Paper in United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR).

SCC’s awards include:

Outstanding Position Paper in United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA):
Joseph B. Rivero of Brea, Steven Cortez of Santa Ana and Alexis Evans of Yorba Linda

Outstanding Delegate in UNEA:
Steven Cortez and Alexis Evans

Outstanding Position Paper in United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD):
Melanie Corzantes of East Valle and Alana Flynn of Silverado

Outstanding Position Paper in General Assembly First Committee (GA1):
Aysha Hall of Orange, Ronaldo Jacobo of Orange and Kazim Shah of Anaheim

Outstanding Position Paper UNHCR:
Alexandrea Holland of Tustin and Paige Wright of Placentia

Outstanding Position Paper in International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA):
Austin Perry of Fullerton and Amna Siddiqui of Orange

Outstanding Delegate in IAEA:
Austin Perry and Amna Siddiqui

Additional team members:
Emily Barba of Garden Grove, Adrian Garcia of Corona, Noor Khan of Orange, Alex Lopez of Yorba Linda and Michael Rivas of Yorba Linda

Since 1982, NMUN has been a recognized non-governmental organization associated with the United Nations Department of Public Information and a member of the UN Academic Impact since 2013. Students participating simulate the UN General Assembly, UN Security Council, or other multilateral body, and are projected into the world of diplomacy and negation. They prepare draft resolutions, plot strategy, negotiate with supporters and adversaries, resolve conflicts and navigate the UN’s rules of procedure. Annual conferences have been held every year since 1927, with the exception of 1945 when World War II travel restrictions prevented the group from meeting. In previous years, SCC students have represented Angola, Equatorial Guinea and Austria.

“They may have been the least experienced team there, but they outworked every other team,” said Crammer. “They also behaved in a way that was professional, diplomatic, responsible and mature. Rarely in all my years as an MUN advisor here have I been this moved by a group of my students. They are truly amazing young professionals.”

About Santiago Canyon College
Santiago Canyon College (SCC) serves more than 17,000 credit and noncredit students each semester. In 2017, SCC was ranked #13 among the 50 Best Community Colleges in the U.S. by College Choice, a leading authority in college and university rankings and resources. The college prepares students for transfer to four-year institutions and careers, and provides courses for personal and professional development, as well as customized training for business and industry. The college is recognized for its adult education program which keeps the working adult - and senior - in mind by offering flexible schedules, and community locations. Serving the residents of Anaheim Hills, Orange, Tustin, and Villa Park, SCC is one of two comprehensive colleges under the auspices of the Rancho Santiago Community College District.

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Contact: Judy Iannaccone

Phone: (714) 642-9615

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