Georgia Southern Model UN team shines at national conference

May 7, 2025

For the 14th year in a row, Georgia Southern University students have earned the highest rating at the National Model United Nations (NMUN) Conference in New York City. The team was one of only 10 to receive the Outstanding designation from a field of about 150 schools. Model UN has a storied history at Georgia Southern that goes back to 1972.

“We are one of the oldest Model UN teams in this country,” said team advisor and professor of politics and international studies Barry Balleck, Ph.D. “When you think about Georgia Southern in 1972, you know, we were a school of only about 4,000 students.” 

Several groups on the team also earned their own honors. Four partners received the Outstanding designation for Position Paper Writing in their committees and two others garnered the Outstanding Delegate distinction in Committee. Balleck credits their success to their rigorous preparation.

“There are sessions that we hold on Saturday to drill our team to get them used to the process of parliamentary procedure, and working in committees and working as a partner,” said Balleck. “There’s work in the library. There’s a lot of work they do all over campus.”

The team draws strength from its diverse makeup with Balleck noting it attracts students from nearly every college and major on campus.

“If people are interested in international affairs and are interested in discovering and studying issues that are pertinent today, issues around the world – that’s who we’ve attracted since I’ve been doing this for almost 30 years now,” said Balleck. “I find a variety of students from many disciplines and majors who are attracted to this and have gone on to do amazing, wonderful things.”

Balleck notes that the Model UN program prepares students for whatever path they choose after college. He takes pride in seeing how many ways Model UN alumni find success after graduation.

“I have students working jobs all over the world,” said Balleck. “I have them at the CDC. I’ve had them at the UN. I’ve had them at international organizations. I have lawyers, doctors, teachers and others. I probably had a half a dozen or more who have done the Peace Corps over the last 15 or 20 years. It’s just a wonderful, wonderful program.”