Kettering Students Take on Global Challenges at Harvard National Model UN

rnorris — Tue, 01 Apr 2025 13:09:14 +0000

rnorris Tue, 04/01/2025 - 09:09

Engineers aren’t always thought of as diplomats. But Kettering students are problem-solvers — they shine wherever they see a challenge.

In February, five Kettering students traveled to Boston to compete in the Harvard National Model United Nations (HNMUN) — one of the world’s oldest and most competitive international relations simulations. Ian Gibson ’26 (Electrical Engineering), Bassam Jehangir ’26 (Mechanical Engineering), Ryan Hociota ’26 (Electrical Engineering), Amanya Gonzales ’26 (Industrial Engineering), and Skylar Menzies ’26 (Chemical Engineering) represented Kettering at the competition.

At Model UN, students from around the globe take on the role of country delegates, debating and collaborating on some of the toughest global issues — from security and human rights to technology and sustainability. Over the course of a weekend, Kettering’s team joined students from Ivy League and international universities, proving that analytical minds and problem solvers belong at the table for world-changing conversations.

Four of the Kettering students represented Iceland for the duration of the HNMUN and were able to pass resolutions in each of their respective committees: United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA), North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), and Economic and Financial Affairs Council (ECOFIN).

Ian Gibson participated in a special committee, The Boeing Board of Directors, where he represented board member John M. Richardson. That committee discussed how to increase the safety and quality of Boeing airplanes and how airlines can ensure their airplanes are safe.

“I had the opportunity to attend Harvard National Model United Nations alongside an incredible delegation of fellow Kettering students,” Gibson said after the event. “I am incredibly proud of how our team performed and grateful to have spent time learning and debating with talented students from across the globe.”

For Kettering students — known for their hands-on work in labs, Co-ops, and competitive teams — Model UN offered a new proving ground to sharpen critical skills in communication, leadership, and global thinking. The experience also underscored a core Kettering value: Solutions don’t stop at technical answers — they require the ability to work across boundaries, advocate for ideas, and lead through complexity.

At Kettering, students rise to that expectation, whether engineering next-gen EVs, managing Co-op projects, or debating global policy. Because when something needs to be built — whether it’s a better drivetrain or a better world — Bulldogs show up ready to lead.