Leadership, diplomatic skills honed

Running the world is not an easy task, but a group of N.C. Central University students recently got some training in the matter.

Fourteen students from NCCU attended the N.C. Consortium for the International and Intercultural Education Model United Nations Conference in Greensboro.

Students from Fayetteville State University, N.C. A&T State University and Winston-Salem State University attended.

“The NCCIIE Model United Nations is a simulation of the United Nations that brings together students, faculty and administrators from colleges and universities across the state,” said Ansel Brown, political science assistant professor and member of the NCCIIE Board of Directors.

Brown has served as faculty adviser for the NCCU Model United Nations delegation since 2009.

He was a student at the conference in 1998 and 1999.

At the NCCIIE Model United Nations, students act as delegates of the 21 selected countries, learning to exercise their leadership, diplomatic, negotiation and communication skills.

Students worked cooperatively in such committees as the Disarmament and International Security Committee, Economic and Financial Committee, Social, Humanitarian, and Cultural Committee, and the Legal Committee.

Students from NCCU represented the United Kingdom, Israel, Nigeria, Columbia and Germany.

“It was a challenging and fulfilling experience,” said Brett Stargell, political science and history senior.

Stargell, a McNair Scholar, was attending for the third year in a row.

He served as the Secretary General for the NCCIIE Model United Nations Conference, which is the highest position a student can hold.

Stargell was also a recipient of the Eugene A. Eaves Award for the Best Overall Student Performance.

He said he didn’t think he should have received an award, that it should have gone to a person other than a third-year participant.

“I believe the students here represented NCCU to the best of our ability,” said Percy Brown, political science and psychology senior.

Brown, who was also returned to the conference for a third year, served as a delegate for Israel.

Brown, along with Juan Virella, Sage Hewett, and Samantha Buckner, won the Eugene A. Eaves Award for the Top Overall Country Delegation.

This is the other highest award a student can receive at the conference.

Students can join the NCCU Model United Nations Club or find out more by contacting Ansel Brown at browna@nccu.edu.