Left to right: Jesselly DeLa Cruz, Melissa Andus and Ryan Cohen

Seniors Melissa Andus, Jesselly De La Cruz and Ryan Cohen have been named co-leaders of Rider's Model United Nations (MUN) 2005 Team.

This week, the 20-member team will represent Portugal at the annual Model UN competition at the Hilton Hotel and at the United Nations. Debating and negotiating issues of global concern, the team will compete against more than 3,000 students from over 200 universities and colleges in the United States, Canada, South America, Asia, Africa and Europe. The conference, held March 22 to 26, is run by the National Collegiate Conference Association (NCCA).

Now in its 38th year, Rider's MUN team gives students a simulated experience of how the United Nations, with its many committees and working groups, handle and resolve world problems and issues.

Team leaders are voted on by classmates. To be considered for selection as a leader or team member, Rider students are encouraged to complete coursework in such areas as international business, global politics and international communication. Much emphasis, however, is placed on an individual's organizational and interpersonal skills, relevant work experience or internships, functional knowledge of world affairs and past team-like experiences.

For Andus, participation has been a one-of-a-kind experience. "The best part is, no matter how many years you take part, you will always learn something new, whether it be about a different region of the world, a different organization or how to act in different situations," said Andus, now in her third year on the team. "I have learned more about who I am and who I can be through this experience. Model UN has helped me become a team player and has taught me that it is okay to compromise when necessary."

De La Cruz has also felt a great deal of accomplishment. "We have ambitious, energetic members," she said. "I came back from last year's conference with a new perspective on team work, professionalism, negotiating and debating. I have become a better problem solver."

Ryan Cohen sees it as an opportunity to test his leadership abilities. "While I have been a team member for the previous two years I have never been a team leader, let alone the head delegate," he said. "It is a challenge to not only see that I am prepared for the conference but that all team members are prepared as well. I have learned many things from my third bout with Model UN and a lot has been from my fellow teammates."

This year's team members are: Evelyne Kruger, a junior political science major, who returns; and new members Ilona Brodetsky, a junior political science major; Melissa Crespo, a freshman global multinational studies major; Peter Derfler, an Austrian exchange student, majoring in business and sociology; Rosa Espinal, a junior political science major; Ricky Gadhia, a senior biology major; Dasha Georgiyeva, a sophomore global multinational studies major; Scott Gerstein, a sophomore finance major; Anastasia Glodmina, a freshman global multinational studies major; Kim Kohlhepp, a senior marketing major.

Also, Joseph Pacitti, a freshman English major; Diana Rosero-Pena, a junior business administration/global business major; Sarah Rosenman, a sophomore political science major; Khaleeqa Rouse, a junior global business major; Matthew Stevens, a junior finance/global business major; Christa Tindall, a junior elementary education/political science major; and Matthew White, a political science major and global and multinational studies minor.

Delegations from Rider have been cited by the NCCA for numerous awards. Team 2004, which represented Belgium, received Honorable Mention. Over the years, other team honors have included being named "Outstanding Delegation" four times, "Distinguished Delegation" three times, and "Honorable Mention" ten times. Dr. Barbara Franz, assistant professor of political science, is team advisor.

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