Model United Nations

Advisors: Dan Hood

Model United Nations (Model UN) is a simulation of real-world issues in a debate setting. Students represent countries on specific topics as they work to formulate a consensus on how to manage a particular problem. We usually compete in three conferences per year, and all students are welcome to join. Collegiate Academy began competing in Model UN conferences in 2003 and has received multiple awards. 

Model UN is a great way to meet people, make new friends, and learn how to speak in front of a group of people. As you role-play your assigned country, you learn to apply research skills, write resolutions, and examine points of view on complex issues. A few students have also been awarded scholarships ranging from $2,500 to $12,000.

We meet MUN-day mornings, 8:00–8:30, in room 105.

Our first conference is at Gannon University, held in November each year. It is open to all students, regardless of experience. Schools from across the tri-state area compete, including from Pittsburgh, Buffalo and Cleveland. We are very proud of our performance at Gannon, having placed first overall each year since 2011. Locally, we also participate at Penn State Behrend, where we placed first overall in the first annual conference last year.  

In March 2023 we will host our tenth annual Middle School Model UN Conference (CAMUNC VIII). Last year we had over 100 middle school students from eight different schools, and the conference was a great learning experience for our students. They design the scenarios and run the conference, and it is fun to watch. 

Students who win awards at Gannon are also eligible to travel to other conferences. Collegiate Academy has participated in Model UN conferences at George Washington University, Cornell, Penn, Yale, and the Lake Erie International Model UN (LEIMUN) Conference at Youngstown State. Our delegates have received multiple individual awards at most of those conferences, including 1st overall at GW Washington Area Conference in the small school's division in 2014; 1st overall at the Michigan State University Conference in the small school’s division in 2018; and 1st or 2nd overall at LEIMUN in each of the past four years. We were also named one of the best 150 high school Model UN teams in the country by Best Delegate for both the 2013-2014 and 2017-2018 school years. 

Consider joining in on the fun and excitement of Model UN. If you’re interested, see Mr. Hood or one of the members of the team.