Members of the Model United Nations Team are students uniquely chosen for their academic prowess, speaking ability, and writing skills. Our members are selected through an annual competitive process every September, consisting of a written application as well as a simulation practice overseen by the Officers of the team in order to judge each applicant fairly. The Model United Nations Team proudly includes students from several different colleges and majors, including history, government, biochemistry, psychology, film, chemistry, and journalism. In March, every member, veteran or not, usually represents New Mexico State University at the United Nations Headquarters in New York City. This coming Spring, the entire team will travel to the New York City and participate in the NMUN-NYC 2023 conference.
Citlalli Benitez (4th Year)
Citlalli Benitez is a senior at New Mexico State University, pursuing double majors in Government and Spanish, a supplementary major in Law and Society, and a minor in International Relations. She aspires to one day attend graduate school and work for the Foreign Service. She is ecstatic to see where the team goes and how it will continue to elevate her college experience! In her free time, Citlalli enjoys keeping up with the latest political news, reading, and studying astrology.
James Madrid (4th Year)
James Madrid is a senior who is Majoring in Biology. This will be his second year on the model UN team and his first year as team treasurer. In his free time, James likes to play video games, try new foods, and go on walks.
Angel Amabisco (3rd Year)
Angel is a junior double majoring in Government and Spanish. Angel plans on working in a field entailing foreign affairs like at an embassy. When time permits, Angel enjoys playing the piano, modeling, photography, reading, and watch anime or House of Cards.
Fateh Aswad (4th Year)
Fateh is an 18-year-old senior majoring in Microbiology with a strong passion to go into the field of medicine. After his graduation from NMSU, Fateh has plans to attend Harvard Medical School and work as a travel physician to help people around the world. In addition to the Model UN, Fateh is an ASNMSU Senator for the College of Arts and Sciences and a proud member of the Muslim Student Association and Friends of Doctors Without Borders. In his spare time, he enjoys playing FIFA 23, brushing up on his Arabic, and spending time with his family and friends.
Mohammad Badawy (4th Year)
Mohammad is a 19-year-old senior double majoring in Chemical Engineering and Microbiology, with minors in Chemistry, Computational Engineering, and History. Mohammad is extremely involved on campus, conducting Ice Cream research, serving as a peer mentor, and a member of several clubs, including of course Model UN, which Mohammad joined this year. Mohammad plans on attending medical school after graduation. Mohammad is a passionate reader of military history and politics, with a focus on World War One, the Arab Cold War, and Spring.
Shannon Downey (3rd Year)
Shannon Downey is from Las Cruces, New Mexico and is a sophomore at NMSU. She is Majoring in Government and double Minoring in French and International Relations. Other than Model UN, she is also a member of Defend our Future, Best Buddies and Roteract. In her spare time, she enjoys playing tennis, hiking, and doing yoga.
Jasmine Recinos (Graduate Student)
Jasmine Recinos is a double major in Government and Spanish, as well as, minoring in International Relations. She attends the graduate program at NMSU and after hopes to pursue a career in a position with a Non-profit Organization. This is her third year being on the Model United Nations team. Outside of Model UN, she is the secretary of the Pi Sigma Alpha chapter at NMSU (the Political Science National Honor Society). When time permits, she enjoys reading, singing, solving puzzles, and arts and crafts.
Cole Vetter (4th Year)
Cole Vetter is a Senior at New Mexico State University, pursuing double majors of Government and Psychology with two minors in History and International Relations. Having served on the NMSU Model UN team for three years as of 2021, and as treasurer for the academic year of 2020 to 2021, Cole is passionate about researching the process in which various entities within international relations interact with each other to produce a more stable and peaceful international climate. After completing a bachelor’s degree at NMSU, Cole hopes to move on to graduate school at Georgetown University, with an overall goal of serving in the U.S. State Department. When not learning French or studying information about the rise of political radicalization, Cole plays the violin and enjoys strategy video games.