Mercer University students won several national awards at a recent Model Arab League conference. Model Arab League is a diplomatic simulation and leadership development program designed to give students insight into the Middle East and Arab world.
The Mercer Model Arab League delegation represented Qatar at the National University Model Arab League conference from March 26-29 in Washington, D.C.
“Mercer Model Arab League is a formative experience that provides an opportunity for students to expand their knowledge of the world and bolster their speaking and writing skills,” said Dr. Tyler Parker, the team’s faculty advisor and assistant professor of political science. “It has been wonderful to see our delegates confidently debate and discuss diverse cultural, economic, environmental, political, security and social topics while representing Mercer as the state of Qatar. I am proud of their accomplishments and honored to advise such a great group of students.”
Dr. Parker and Dr. Chris Grant, professor and chair of political science, took 13 students to the national conference.
Awards were given to the following students:
- Jacob Solomon, a sophomore majoring in business, and Norma Jones, a senior triple-majoring in international affairs, global health studies and French, received a Superior Delegation Award in the Council on Political Affairs.
- Xzavier Longacre, a senior majoring in environmental engineering, received a Distinguished Delegation Award in the Council of Arab Environmental Affairs Ministers.
- Kiara Rose Chery, a junior majoring in information science and technology, and Destinee Jackson, a senior majoring in political science, received a Superior Delegation Award in the Special Council on Arab Culture and Heritage.
“Model Arab League has allowed me to further develop my understanding of that part of the world through the important life skills of public speaking, debate, compromise and conflict resolution,” Longacre said. “It’s allowed me a view into the lives of actual delegations and how tedious and difficult it is to come to a consensus that benefits everyone without impeding on their own sovereignty.”
Other participants at the national conference included:
- Precious Clark, a senior majoring in law and public policy
- Henry Fraley, a junior majoring in environmental engineering
- Braeden Prince, a senior double-majoring in international affairs and psychology
- Jack Roper, a junior majoring in political science
- Jonah Slovensky, a senior majoring in chemistry
- Carson Smith, a junior majoring in political science
- Syrin Suleiman, a senior majoring in global health studies
- Dominic Thomas, a senior majoring in civil engineering
The Mercer Model Arab League previously competed at the Southeast Regional Model Arab League conference, which was held March 13-15 at Converse University in Spartanburg, South Carolina.
Award winners at that conference include:
- Solomon, who received a Superior Delegation Award in the Council on Political Affairs
- Longacre and Fraley, who received a Superior Delegation Award in the Council of Arab Environmental Affairs Ministers
- Chery and Jackson, who received an Outstanding Delegation Award in the Special Council on Arab Culture and Heritage
“I came into Mercer Arab League as a freshman, not knowing much about anything Arab related, and came out knowing more than I ever could imagine,” Solomon said. “Learning about how to represent a state, how to write resolution language, and expanding my public and interpersonal speaking skills were all integral to my success as a delegate and a student but, most importantly, as a person.”
