FDU MUN Metro Receives Honorable Mention Award

FDU Model United Nations (MUN) delegates from the Metropolitan Campus earned an honorable mention at the National Model United Nations (NMUN) conference held at the New York Hilton in April. NMUN is the world’s largest university-level Model U.N. simulation, bringing together more than 4,600 students from colleges and universities worldwide.

The award, which placed the FDU delegation among the top-performing teams, recognizes excellence in diplomacy, collaboration and staying in character throughout the conference. It’s an impressive achievement for a program that was only started on the Metropolitan Campus two years ago by Sebastian Perez, BA’25 (Metro), in partnership with the Office of Global Education led by Diana Cvitan, University director of global education.

The FDU delegation at the U.N. Headquarters in New York City. They include, front row, left, students Suhaib Jawad, Angelica Garcia and Marissa Almonte; middle row, from left, students Angelica Ortiz, Nadia Ayala, Kyndal Ganoe, Dylan Guaman, Raul Fuentes and Hadi Martinez; and back row, from left, faculty adviser Kyle Kattelman and students Erick Vialet, Giorgia Vaschetti and Christopher Ordoñez.

FDU MUN Faculty Adviser Kyle Kattelman, associate professor of political science and coordinator of the newly approved BA in social sciences, Becton College; and director of Fairleigh Institute for Lifelong Learning at Metro, says that he is “incredibly impressed and proud of our students. Last year, I watched them build this program completely from scratch. This year, I watched them flourish in their committees and earn an honorable mention. I cannot wait to see how they will progress and succeed next year.”

Perez, who served as last year’s head delegate, attributes the team’s success to “the collective effort of a group of individuals who were equally curious, committed and willing to contribute. Together, we built a team grounded in the core values of both the University and the United Nations — leadership, empathy, critical thinking and collaboration. That shared vision is what continues to drive the program forward today.”

Erick Vialet, head delegate and FDU MUN cofounder.

This year’s delegation was led by FDU MUN cofounder Erick Vialet, a senior information technology major. Other members of the team — all from the Metropolitan Campus — included sophomores Nadia Ayala and Dylan Guman; juniors Marissa Almonte, Raul Fuentes, Hadi Martinez and Christopher Ordóñez; senior Angelica Ortiz; and recent graduates Kyndal Ganoe (BS’26), Angelica Garcia (BS’26), Suhaib Jawad (MA’26) and Giorgia Vaschetti (BS’26).

Vialet, who has been with the program since its inception, is proud of what his team had accomplished. “Working alongside every member of my team is one of my proudest accomplishments,” he says. It’s an achievement that caps a five- to six-month process — from recruiting and interviewing applicants to having selected FDU MUN members review NMUN guidelines, prepare position papers and take part in MUN simulation events. “We missed class for a whole week and spent countless hours of strategizing and formulating ideas on how we could handle our assigned country’s issues,” Vialet adds.

Being part of FDU MUN may entail a lot of work and commitment but members appreciate the knowledge and experience they derive from it. For Giorgia Vaschetti, an international student from Italy who recently graduated with a BS in business administration, participating in NMUN was an unforgettable experience. “It was eye-opening to learn about the work that goes on behind the decisions passed by the U.N.,” she says. “I also had the opportunity to meet people from all over the world, understand their perspectives and learn about different cultures. It was a truly inspiring week that has motivated me to try and make a positive change and an impact myself.”

The experience was life-changing for Raul Fuentes, a business administration major, who found a greater sense of purpose through his NMUN journey. “It inspired me to get more involved and gain a better understanding that the University offers a lot more than just lectures and assignments. FDU is instrumental in allowing its students to receive memorable and educational experiences,” he says. “The presence of many universities from all over the world [at NMUN] also allowed me to understand that we have a common mission: to make the world a better place.”

Left photo: FDU MUN members were joined by Pedro Motta, third from left, a past NMUN participant; and new members Vrunda Reshamwala, extreme left, and Maria Calcurian, sixth from left. Right photo: In the days leading up to the event, members practice and strategize at the MUN simulation event.

The benefits from being part of FDU MUN are far-reaching and impactful. “The FDU MUN journey represents the ability to expand one’s perspective and access spaces that may initially feel out of reach,” Perez says. “It’s about building connections, embracing challenges and fully engaging with the opportunities available. Ultimately, Model UN is not just an academic activity, it is a platform for growth, leadership and long-term impact.”

Students interested in being part of this unique educational experience may reach out to its faculty adviser, Kyle Kattelman, at ktk94@fdu.edu. For FDU MUN news and upcoming activities follow the club on Instagram.