Secretary-General
Victoria Melkonyan is a Senior in Columbia College studying Political Science and Comparative Literature with a focus on acquiring languages. Originally from both Cape Cod and Western Massachusetts, she co-founded her rural high school’s first Model UN club in 8th grade and has grown to love MUN for its unique teaching ability. Aside from her work with MUN and MUN-related activities, she is an avid performer and writer and often authors coverage for Bwog, one of Columbia’s foremost independent news publications. Victoria hopes to one day pursue a career in journalism, publishing, or political campaign work. She is beyond happy to be contributing to CESIMS and hopes that all of the delegates not only develop their MUN skills but heartily enjoy themselves. Feel free to contact her at vam2154@columbia.edu!
Director-General
Jesus Vargas is a Junior in Columbia College studying Economics. He’s originally from the Chicago area where he used to head his high school’s MUN team. At Columbia, Jesus is also the Chief of Operations for CMUNCE. Growing up in an immigrant family and community, Jesus hopes to one day work in immigration or criminal law. During his free time, Jesus can be found exploring the different neighborhoods of the city, tending to his aquariums, and searching for the best Mexican or Korean cuisine in the city. He is excited to serve as Director-General for CESIMS Fall 2024 and will work hard to ensure a fun day of MUN for all! Feel free to contact him with any questions at jlv2150@columbia.edu.
Chief of Staff
Zackery Cooper is a senior in Columbia College studying English with a concentration in Medieval and Renaissance studies. He is originally from Daphne, Alabama, where he was involved with Model UN as a high school delegate and came to love MUN for the collaborative learning experience. Outside of MUN, he is active as a leader of student groups on campus, including the Columbia European Society and the Columbia Journal of History, Columbia's sole student-led historical publication. After Columbia, he intends to attend graduate school for history, a passion MUN has done so much to give life to, shape, and intensify over these past few years. Zackery hopes that CESIMS will offer delegates a chance to find that same love for learning and build lifelong skills they will take into the future! Feel free to contact him at zdc2112@columbia.edu
Chief of Education
Eliana Steele is a Junior student at Barnard College studying Linguistics and Philosophy, with an interest in the preservation of endangered languages. She is originally from the East San Francisco Bay Area and has been doing MUN since her Freshman year of high school. She is the Undersecretary of Administration for Columbia's other high school conference, CMUNCE. Throughout her collegiate career, she has been deputy Head Delegate for Columbia's MUN travel team, on the secretariat for Columbia's collegiate MUN conference (CMUNNY), a Teaching Assistant for Introduction to Linguistics, a Creative Director for the Barnard Bulletin, and a Development Intern at the American Library in Paris.
Chief of Logistics
Allen Cai is a 2nd year undergraduate at Columbia College hoping to major in Biology and minor in Political Science. He is from Southern California and is part of the Columbia Men’s Swimming Team along with other branches of CIRCA such as CMUNCE.
Chief of Outreach
Ashley Zhou is a sophomore in CC prospectively majoring in Art History and Economics. She is thrilled to serve as Chief of Outreach this year. In addition to CESIMS, she is also a part of the law review, wind ensemble, and china dance at Columbia. In her free time, she loves exploring the city and different restaurants, dancing, playing the oboe, meditating!
USG of Committees
Hi, my name is Haila Desai and I will serve as an undersecretary general of committees for CESIMS. I am a first year at Barnard College with an intended major in Women's, Gender, and Sexuality studies and a potential minor in Classics. I love Model UN, and I cannot wait to help run CESIMS 2024!
USG of Committees
Kylie Jade Thibodeau is an Under-Secretary-General of Committees at CESIMS. She is a student at Columbia College studying Political Science and Economics. She is from Raymond, Maine, and hopes to work internationally to address global issues, especially in economics and for underrepresented identities.
USG of Commitees
Edward Yang is a Junior at Columbia College studying Political Science with a specialization in International Relations and Theory. Involved in Model UN since high school, Edward is also a member of the MUN travel team at Columbia. Originally from Seoul, South Korea, he is passionate about architecture, movies, and taking walks around the city; he is very excited to staff CESIMS, and hopes to meet you all soon.
USG of Education
Yordani Rodriguez is a freshman at Columbia College, majoring in American Studies with a special concentration in Education Studies. Born in the Dominican Republic and raised in Brooklyn, he brings a unique perspective to his role as the Under-Secretary-General of Education. He is excited to collaborate with teachers and students to introduce them to Model UN and its educational promise through programs like CESIMS. Yordani also contributes as a columnist for The Gadfly, Columbia’s philosophy magazine. Passionate about giving back, he is committed to fostering engagement and support for students from diverse backgrounds throughout his time at Columbia. In his free time, he enjoys listening to music, writing poetry, and occasionally going for a run.
USG of Education
Sofía Polar is a freshman at Barnard College majoring in Economics and Chemistry. She is excited to take on the role of USG of Education for CESIMS. Beyond her involvement in CESIMS, Sofía is a Conference Operations Fellow at CMUNCE and a member of SEBS. Outside of school, you can find Sofía exploring the city! She is thrilled to welcome delegates to campus for what promises to be the best CESIMS yet!