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Juniata College Model UN Earns Honors at Midwest Model United Nations Conference
(Posted February 27, 2026)
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Members of Juniata College’s Model United Nations delegation pose at the Midwest Model United Nations Conference in St. Louis, Missouri. Pictured are (left to right): Manali Misra ’26; Ursa VanZetten ’28; Zia Haque, director of the Baker Institute for Peace and Conflict Studies and assistant professor of peace and conflict studies; Elizabeth Hanna ’28, Tamanna Chhabra ’26, and Brooks Richardson ’26.
Members of Juniata College’s Model United Nations delegation pose at the Midwest Model United Nations Conference in St. Louis, Missouri. Pictured are (left to right): Manali Misra ’26; Ursa VanZetten ’28; Zia Haque, director of the Baker Institute for Peace and Conflict Studies and assistant professor of peace and conflict studies; Elizabeth Hanna ’28, Tamanna Chhabra ’26, and Brooks Richardson ’26.
HUNTINGDON, Pa. — Juniata College’s Model United Nations delegation earned multiple honors at last week’s Midwest Model United Nations Conference in St. Louis, Missouri, marking a successful return to competition following the program’s recent revitalization.
The Juniata team was led and advised by Zia Haque, director of the Baker Institute for Peace and Conflict Studies and assistant professor of peace and conflict studies.
“I could not be prouder of the rigor, professionalism, and diplomacy Juniata’s students demonstrated throughout the conference,” said Haque.
The Juniata delegation, including Manali Misra ’26, Tamanna Chhabra ’26, Elizabeth Hanna ’28, Ursa VanZetten ’28, and Brooks Richardson ’26, competed against students from public and private universities across the Midwestern United States. The team represented Somalia, Guyana, and Austria in the General Assembly and UNCTAD (UN Trade and Development) committees.
The Midwest Model United Nations Conference brings together student delegations from across the region to debate international issues, practice diplomatic negotiation, and develop leadership and public speaking skills in a simulated United Nations environment.
“There is nothing quite like being in a room of people dedicated to solving the world’s most pressing issues,” Misra said. “This experience was the perfect spark for my motivation, reinforcing my commitment to my future goals and my path as a global citizen."
Chhabra received two awards, Best Position Paper and Honorable Mention in the Joint Crisis Committee, for her work in the Security Council.
“I participated in conferences like this in high school, so it was really fun to be part of it again at the college level,” Chhabra said. “I’m especially grateful to the Baker Institute for giving us the opportunity to attend. It was a great experience, and I was able to make meaningful connections while growing more confident in myself.”
Participation in the conference was generously supported by the Baker Institute for Peace and Conflict Studies, which sponsors and promotes global engagement opportunities for Juniata students.
Contact April Feagley at feaglea@juniata.edu or (814) 641-3131 for more information.