Horizons Fall 2014

Members of Nova Southeastern University’s Model United Nations Team earned several awards for the ability to handle hypothetical United Nations issues with diplomacy while remaining “in character” throughout the process during the Southern Regional Model United Nations (SRMUN) conference. The team, which was sponsored by the Farquhar College of Arts and Sciences, was composed of students from the Nova International Rela- tions Association (NIRA). It competed against more than 1,000 students representing about 40 schools. NIRA head researcher Desiree Kennedy won her case unanimously—the only delegate to do so—and was voted “Most Diplomatic” by her peers in the conference’s inaugural Interna- tional Court of Justice simulation. Kennedy, an hon- ors political science and legal studies double major at the Farquhar College of Arts and Sciences, was 1 of just 9 stu- dents selected from more than 100 applicants to participate as legal counsel. Kennedy also earned the conference award for Best Counter Memorial, an award recognizing skill in writing a legal case response. Linea Cutter, secretary, an honors political science and history double major, and Rehan Sherali, president, a political sci- ence major, earned the Outstanding Delegation Award in the United Nations Population Fund Committee. This is the highest award within a committee and akin to first place. Additionally, Cutter and Sherali scored a 98 percent on their position paper, a best for NIRA. Vanessa Duboulay, a political science major, was selected from dozens of applicants to serve as chair of the General Assembly Plenary. Also representing NIRA at the conference were Mei Po Ho, vice president, and Marco Baez, both interna- tional studies majors; Andrew Jones, treasurer, political science and legal studies double major; and Nadim Visram, political science major. As a team, NIRA also earned an honorable mention award for its standout representation of Brazil. n The administrative role required a master’s degree, and as a mother of four working full time, NSU’s blended learning format appealed to her. She was also familiar with NSU from her husband, Tim, an executive with SunTrust who had worked with the university on a number of financing projects. While the master’s degree, which she completed in 1999, was a job require- ment, the decision to pursue a doctorate was a personal goal that was achieved when she graduated in 2005. “I always encourage people considering an advanced degree to definitely look at NSU,” said Kiley. “You not only get a good education, it’s a realistic program at a realistic pace that dovetails nicely into a working career.” Doctorate in hand, Kiley became principal of St. Andrew in 2007. And now—with a focus on building a robust alumni association, seeking more fund-raising opportunities, and improving technological resources—she plans to continue guiding the little-school-that-could to even greater heights. “I see myself finishing my career at St. Andrew,” she said. “It seems like this is the spot where I was meant to be.” n 35 HORIZONS around NSU Model United Nations Team Earns Multiple Awards NSU’s blended learning format appealed to Kathleen Kiley, who earned her master’s degree in 1999 and her doctorate in 2005.