TexMUN – Houston 2019

Lee College, Houston, Texas
February 1-3, 2019

The Osgood Center for International Studies firmly believes in the positive effects of Model United Nations simulations. For the last 11 years, the Osgood Center has trained students from all around the world in Model United Nations and Model Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation, inspiring and encouraging the creation of Model United Nations programs in various high schools and universities globally.

The Osgood Center’s annual Model United Nations program, the International Model United Nations, was first held in 2003 in Washington, DC. Since 2007, the Osgood Center has partnered with the National Collegiate Conference Association (NCCA) to co-host National Model United Nations-DC (MUN-DC) each fall. In January of 2015, the first TexMUN was held in Abilene, Texas, in Austin, Texas during 2016 and 2017, and in Waco, Texas in 2018.

With much excitement, the Osgood Center is happy to announce that the next TexMUN will be held at Lee College on February 1-3, 2019.

The 2019 TexMUN conference will be comprised of a:

  • General Assembly First Committee
  • General Assembly Second Committee
  • General Assembly Third Committee
  • Security Council

Position Papers

**For award consideration, all position papers should be submitted no later than January 18, 2019.**

Please email all papers in a PDF file type to your Secretary General, Rosanna Vargas.

About the Conference

REGISTRATION

The conference will take place at various sites on the Lee College Campus, and registration will be held in Rundell Hall, which is located on Lee Drive between the Huddle Building and the college library. See the Campus Map. Registration will take place in the Rundell Hall Conference Center.

DIRECTIONS

On the Lee College website, you will find detailed driving directions to Rundell Hall as well as a link to a general campus map.

LODGING

Hotels close to Lee College

PARKING

Parking is free. If you are driving a car, on Friday afternoon we recommend that you park in either Parking lot 1, 2, 4 or 11. Each parking location has handicapped accessible parking. On Saturday and Sunday, visitors may park in any lot, except spots marked as reserved 24 hours or designated for permit parking.


Shelton WilliamsOpening Speaker

Dr. Shelton WilliamsPresident, Osgood Center for International Studies

TexmUN Committee Chairs

Rosanna VargasSecurity Council Committee Chair, Secretary General

Rosanna VargasRosanna graduated from the Middlebury Institute of International Studies at Monterey (MIIS) in 2016 where she earned a Master in International Education Management. Prior to that academic experience in California, as a Fulbright scholar, he earned a Master in Curriculum Design and Instruction with a concentration in Social Studies at Teachers College, Columbia University in 2013, and a Bachelor in Law at Pontificia Universidad Católica Madre y Maestra (PUCMM) in 2011. She has relevant experience in educational leadership, academic program design and, international curriculum planning. She has had multiple professional and academic experiences internationally. She has conducted specialized workshops for and, has collaborated on National Model United Nations (MUN DC), Texas Model United Nations (TEX MUN 2017), Model Security Council Osgood Center 2017, the Conferencia International de las Américas (CILA, MUN DR) as an academic advisor and coordinator. Recently, she chaired a committee focused on migration, vulnerable populations and international security at UFHEC Model United Nations in Santo Domingo.

Eric Vining
General Assembly First Committee Chair

Eric ViningEric Vining is the Legislative Director to State Representative Mike Schofield (R-Katy) at the Texas House of Representatives in Austin. Eric is also currently a graduate student a Texas State University, where he is pursuing a master’s degree in Public Administration with a focus in city planning and urban design. Eric completed his undergraduate studies at Baylor University, where he graduated with majors in Political Science and Journalism. During his time at Baylor, Eric was a member of Baylor MUN, and competed at American Model United Nations in Chicago, Illinois, National Model United Nations in New York, New York, and at TexMUN in 2014, where he was awarded “Best Delegate” in the Historic Security Council simulation as the People’s Republic of China. Eric has chaired committees at three Model UN conferences – Contemporary Security Council at Baylor Model United Nations in 2014 and 2016, and the General Assembly First Committee at TexMUN’s 2016 conference in Austin.

Xuan Zhu
General Assembly Second Committee Chair

Xuan ZhuXuan graduated from University of Pittsburgh in 2014. He earned a Master of Public Administration in two majors: Policy Research and Analysis as well as Energy and Environment Policy. Before he obtained this double degree, he graduated from China Foreign Affairs University in 2011 where he earned a bachelor degree of laws, majoring in Diplomacy and International Affairs. His current interest lies in Asian Development as well as energy and environment issues. Prior to graduate school, Xuan had several interesting working experiences. His background includes working as an intern editor for Xinhua News Agency, doing an internship in private companies such as Siemens China, a part-time translator, and a public servant in the Chinese government. He was also a rigorous volunteer in the Smithsonian Natural History Museum. Xuan works with the Osgood Center since 2013, and he became an associate director in early 2015. He has vast experience in Model United Nations. He chaired the 2016, and 2017 TexMUN Model APEC, where he combines his knowledge of Asian policies, international trade, legal issues and, energy affairs.

Megan E. Finkbeiner
General Assembly Third Committee Chair

Megan FinkbeinerMegan is in her senior year studying International Advocacy to complete a BA in Communication and Philosophy at Alma College. Megan is currently interning with the Committee for Human Rights in North Korea (HRNK) and will work there to help progress the work to ensure rights for North Korean’s. At Alma College, Megan is a member of the Model United Nations team and has represented multiple Member States on a variety of committees over the past three years including Brazil in the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC), Morocco in the General Assembly Third Committee, Thailand also in the General Assembly Third Committee and Sudan in the Commission for Social Development (CSocD). Prior to her internship with HRNK, she recently finished working with Shiv Nadar Schools in New Delhi, India to set up a Model UN program for the Faridabad branch of the school system in order to increase youth involvement in international politics, particularly the way in which climate change is a threat multiplier for global security.