Model United Nations is an active club on campus which also includes a lot of women leaders! These ladies shared a little bit about why they’re in the club and how it empowers them.
Model United Nations is a group of students who simulate the real United Nations. They deal with many real world issues and work with other countries to create resolutions and solve these problems. During the weekly meetings they do simulations to prepare for the conference. They do two conferences each school year, one in Chicago and one in St. Louis. Just last month, they had the large responsibility of representing the United States.
The women in this club work hard! Laura Meloy is the President of MUN. She is a Political Science and International Studies Major. She has various leadership roles around campus including, being the VP of SGA, Greenlife, College Democrats, Triota, among other organizations. Despite her busy schedule she joined MUN her sophomore year and has loved it ever since! “I have really made my best friends in this club, and the club is not too big so it is really easy to become really close…we are like a family. Also, it provides a great network of political science students, and it gives us a chance to interact outside of the classroom,” says President Laura Meloy. She also claims this club to be a great skill for women to have as it’s empowering and prepares them for leadership positions post graduation.
MUN is an accepting club and is filled with strong women. Savana Thorsen, a sophomore member, believes Model UN is important for those who “have a passion for their voice to be heard” and said “it’s important for women like myself to be involved and learn about these topics because women are just as smart as anyone else.” MUN discusses topics of poverty, gender, and international security. Having women learn the skills of being in these positions creates leaders in the future!
Kai Christensen the permanent representative of MUN. She joined because of her advisor, Dr. Kim. Dr. Kim is a Political Science and International Studies professor who guides the students on how to succeed in these roles. Even with Dr. Kim’s help, the students are mainly self-led and Kai says students learn a lot but also have fun. People work together and “not once in this club have any of the other members made me feel less for being a woman.”
Model United Nations is an empowering club for all members but especially for women who can learn about international issues and for the connections they make for post-grad. Although a lot of students are Political Science or International Studies, all students are welcome to join! Some members also study theology, art history, and environmental science. They meet every Monday at 6:30 in Gottlieb so keep an eye out for them and come join the girl bosses! Follow them on instagram: @stambrosemun