The annual event aims to inspire critical thinking and leadership in students from around the world as they engage in a conference-style simulation of United Nations (UN) proceedings. In this dynamic environment, delegates debate, communicate and problem-solve, said Quinnipiac Professor of Political Science Fodei J. Batty, who also attended the conference.

Reynolds took Batty’s Simulating International Organizations course last fall, during which he and other interested classmates also had the opportunity to prepare for the conference by conducting mock sessions of Model UN meetings.

Batty said the annual Model UN conference in New York immerses students in an unprecedented experiential learning opportunity. Students gain skills in negotiating, coalition-building and teamwork, how to work together despite opposing views, drafting professional international agreements and related documents, and more. Students who are given leadership positions during the conference also learn how to manage teams and produce results.

“Students also gain invaluable insights into the workings of international organizations that will serve them well when they graduate into the real world. But most of all, students get to meet other students from across the country and the world. You can't beat Model UN conferences for the experiential learning opportunity they provide students,” said Batty.

Reynolds said participating in NYUMUNC XVI, where he was assigned as part of a committee of about 30 students, one of the most profound experiences of his life.

“Both professionally and personally, I learned so much from participating in the conference, and I made some lifelong friends along the way,” Reynolds said. “On day one, our committee bonded quickly. People within the committee were from all over the world - China, Kazakhstan, California, Morocco, New York City, Colombia and Ireland - just to name a few of the many represented places. Learning about their lives and unique experiences was eye-opening. Within my bloc I made some lifelong friends. We already have a group chat and plan on meeting up in New York City in the future. The jokes and laughs during and after the committee sessions made the weekend unforgettable.”

During the conference, Reynolds was assigned to the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, debating topics such as public transportation, highway safety, and urban-rural divides. Reynolds acted as a representative of Republican Congressman Brian Babin (Texas, 36th District) from the U.S. House of Representatives.

“The goal is to advocate for your representative’s policy and create a written resolution with other representatives. It requires assertiveness yet also compromise. Inevitably, you're going to have to work with representatives who are on the other side of the political aisle. Doing this was challenging, but rewarding,” Reynolds said.

The learning environment helped sharpen skills Reynolds gained during his Quinnipiac academic career and pushed him to stretch his abilities.

“I have had public speaking experience before via my classes, my time in Mock Trial, and my personal life, but this was much different. Whereas in past public speaking experiences most of my oration was scripted, in Model UN, scripting is impossible. Coming up with a speech to capture my character's policy on a topic on the spot and only having one minute to speak was challenging. I felt as the weekend went on, I became more comfortable with it. Practice and repetition are key in the public speaking department,” said Reynolds.

Exposing Quinnipiac students to these kinds of opportunities gives them a vital edge in navigating the real world upon graduation, said Batty.

“We do a lot of great teaching in the classroom, simulate scenarios, watch videos; but we need to supplement that with opportunities for our students to gain real experience of interacting with those who do not share their worldviews. Such experiences come from the kinds of interactions provided by opportunities such as this one, where they get to meet students from all across the country and world,” Batty said. “The training we provide them with helps them to bring an added dimension of negotiating and other interactive skills to the table, which helps them navigate the world successfully as Quinnipiac graduates.”

Reynold said he feels there would be many benefits to establishing a Model UN Club at Quinnipiac. He also highly recommends interested Bobcats from various disciplines take advantage of the opportunity to participate in the collegiate Model UN conference.

“I encourage any student remotely interested in debate, politics, law, or civics to pursue this. It's not just for social sciences people. There were kids there who were Computer Science and Math majors. This activity is for everyone,” Reynolds said. “It provides teaching opportunities that are simply not possible in a typical classroom setting and offers students the opportunity to meet people from all over the world and from all walks of life, like I did.”