(Orange, CA) – Santiago Canyon College’s (SCC) Model United Nations team was recognized at last week’s Rancho Santiago Community College District’s (RSCCD) Board of Trustees meeting. The team took home its second consecutive Outstanding Delegation award at the National Model United Nations Conference held in New York in April.

The SCC Model UN student delegation included:

• Alexis Evans, President
• Rafiya Naqvi, Vice President
• Melissa Altamirano
• Shalin Brahmbhatt
• Noe Granados Centeno
• Giulia Chen
• Jose Cruz
• Robert Esparza
• Imran Hamid
• Merwa Hamid
• Chase Healy
• Elisa Hernandez
• Alexandrea Holland
• David Jimenez
• Maithe Munoz
• Jacqueline Pronk
• Noor Said
• Joshua Smith
• Manaal Subhani
• Michael Toyos
• Gary Ulwelling

At the conference, the SCC delegation, comprised students from various academic disciplines, represented the country of Denmark. The team competed against more than 3,000 delegates from 50 countries.

In addition to winning the top Outstanding Delegation honor, the team won seven policy paper awards (the highest percentage of eligible awards won by all universities and colleges in attendance) and one top committee award. Winning nine awards is a new record for SCC at the National Model United Nations – New York Conference.

"Model United Nations challenges students to learn by doing and helps them develop the types of soft skills that are essential in professional life,” stated Cale Cramer, SCC assistant professor of political science and Model United Nations advisor. “Students find that Model UN is a life-changing experience and have a lot of fun participating in the program.”

The team will reconvene this fall with plans to attend the national Model United Nations conference in Washington, D.C.

For additional information, please contact Model UN advisor, Cale Crammer at crammer_cale@sccollege.edu.

About the Model UN Conference in New York
National Model United Nations Conference is the largest international Model United Nations conference, bringing together more than 5,000 students from over 200 colleges and universities from around the world. It provides students with a valuable learning experience by having delegates debate and develop solutions to a variety of global challenges such as maintaining international peace and security, protecting human rights, and promoting international development. It also provides a unique multicultural experience by encouraging students to engage with their peers from international colleges and universities representing countries from all over the world.

About Santiago Canyon College
Santiago Canyon College (SCC) serves more than 17,000 credit and noncredit students each semester. In 2017, SCC was ranked No. 13 among the 50 Best Community Colleges in the U.S. by College Choice and is currently ranked No. 3 in California by bestcolleges.com, a leading authority in college and university rankings and resources. The college prepares students for transfer to four-year institutions and careers, and provides courses for personal and professional development, as well as customized training for business and industry. The college is recognized for its adult education program which keeps the working adult - and senior - in mind by offering flexible schedules, and community locations. Serving the residents of Anaheim Hills, Orange, Tustin, and Villa Park, SCC is one of two comprehensive colleges under the auspices of the Rancho Santiago Community College District.

   SCC's Model United Nations team

Bottom row (Left to right): Noor Said, Elisa Hernandez, Maithe Munoz, Giulia Chen, Alexandrea Holland, Rafiya Naqvi
Middle row: Merwa Hamid, Melissa Altamirano, Jacqueline Pronk, Michael Toyos, Alexis Evans, Robert Esparza, Shalin Brahmbhatt, Chase Healy, Jose Cruz
Top row: Imran Hamid, Manaal Subhani, Joshua Smith, David Jimenez

   SCC's Model United Nations team is recognized at RSCCD Board of Trustees meeting

Bottom row (left to right): Gary Ulwelling, Robert Esparza, Maithe Munoz, RSCCD Board of Trustees member Arianna Barros, Rafiya Naqvi, Giulia Chen, Melissa Altamirano
Middle row (left to right): Cale Crammer, Noe Granados Centeno, Manaal Subhani, Michael Toyos, Jacqueline Pronk, Shalin Brahmbhatt, Chase Healy, Roberta Tragarz
Top row (left to right): John C. Hernandez, Ph.D., President, SCC; RSCCD Board of Trustees: Student Theodore D. Moreno, Nelida Mendoza, Clerk Zeke Hernandez, President Phillip Yarbrough, Vice President Claudia C. Alvarez and Lawrence “Larry” R. Labrado