CMUNCE XXIII Secretariat

Josh Yu, Secretary-General

Josh is a senior in Columbia College studying biochemistry. He is from the San Francisco Bay Area and discovered his interest in Model UN and international policy in high school. After working as a Conference Operations Fellow, USG of Public Relations and Chief of Communications, he is ecstatic to serve as CMUNCE XXIII’s Secretary-General. Outside of CIRCA, Josh was the president of the Columbia Science Review, an undergraduate publication that holds interdisciplinary events bridging scientific advancement and daily life. He also works part-time as an analyst at a consulting firm for nonprofits and researches the effects of dietary metabolites on anticancer therapeutics in a biochemistry laboratory. In his free time, Josh enjoys going on runs in Central Park, finding the best rooftops to watch the sunrise in NYC and satisfying his unhealthy reliance on coffee by exploring local cafes.

 

Alisha Arshad, Director-General

Alisha is a senior in Columbia College majoring in Human Rights and specializing in Middle Eastern, South Asian, and African Studies. This year, she's excited to serve as Director-General of CMUNCE XXIII, following her previous positions as Chief of Operations, USG of Marketing, and a Conference Operations Fellow. Outside of CMUNCE, Alisha works as a Research Assistant for the Columbia Human Rights and Political Science Departments, focusing on women’s and children’s rights. In her free time, you'll find her writing her human rights thesis on the colonial development of primary education in South Asia, all while binging drama series and learning different languages in between. Alisha is looking forward to having the delegates back on campus this year with even more exciting plans from the operations team!

 

Gayoung Lee, Chief of Staff

Gayoung is a senior in Columbia College, majoring in Political Science. She has been involved with CMUNCE since her freshman year, first as a Conference Operations Fellow, then as a USG of Committees her sophomore year, and now, she is very happy to serve her second year as Chief of Staff! Gayoung was also CIRCA's Deputy Treasurer two years ago, the Vice President/Treasurer for the organization last year, and is currently CIRCA President, and has chaired for both CMUNNY and CESIMS. Outside of CIRCA, she is the co-President for the Korean Students Association and a Coordinator and Mentor for the Asian Youth Program. When not running between meetings, Gayoung loves to taste-test new dessert places, talking a little too much with her friends, and watching nostalgic TV shows (currently: The O.C.). She is so, so excited to welcome all of the delegates to CMUNCE XXIII! :)

 

Lilly Loghmani, Chief of Communications  

Lilly is a sophomore at Barnard College majoring in Economics and Mathematics. With previous experience as a Conference Operations Fellow at CMUNCE, she is excited to take on the role of Chief of Communications for CMUNCE XXIII. Beyond her involvement in CMUNCE, Lilly is a Columbia Undergraduate Business Scholar, engaged in Economics research, and is a member of the Undergraduate Law Review and Corporate Law and Business Association. Outside of school, you can find Lilly in the outdoors, whether it's rock climbing, surfing, or skiing. She is thrilled to welcome delegates back to campus for what promises to be the best CMUNCE yet!

 

Marissa Keogh, Chief of Operations

Marissa is a senior at Columbia College studying Political Science and Business. After working as a USG of Marketing last year, she is very excited to be Chief of Operations this year! Outside of CMUNCE, Marissa is the Treasurer of the Columbia Classical Performers and undergraduate film journal Double Exposure. In her free time, she enjoys seeing the newest movie releases, searching for new cafes to study in, and taking care of her many plants! 𖧧⚘

 

William Diep, USG of Public Relations

William is a junior at Columbia College studying History and Sociology. He is excited to serve as a USG of Public Relations for a second year and on the CMUNCE secretariat for a third year. Outside of CMUNCE, William is the chief of communications for CESIMS (another Model U.N. branch at Columbia!), a deputy editor for the Columbia Daily Spectator, a co-secretary for the Vietnamese Students Association, and a member of the Students of Color Advisory Board. In his free time, he loves watching new horror movies, hanging out with his friends, and traveling to new places. William is very excited to see so many schools and delegates of different backgrounds and identities!

 

Daniel Kim,

USG of Committees

Daniel is a senior in Columbia College studying Economics and Political Science. He has been involved with CIRCA ever since his very first CMUNCE conference as high school delegate in 2019. Since then, he's been involved as a Crisis Analyst, Conference Operations Fellow, Crisis Director, and currently as a USG of Committees for CMUNCE in addition to editing for the Columbia Political Review. Outside of CIRCA, Daniel serves as a senior advisor for the Multicultural Business Association, an associate consultant for the Columbia Global Research & Consulting Group, and performs with the Barnard-Columbia Choir and Bach Society. In his free time, he can be seen ordering lamb over rice at the 115th halal cart. After graduation, Daniel plans to work in Private Equity.

 

Celeste Abourjeili,

USG of Committees

Celeste is a senior in the Columbia – Sciences Po dual degree program, studying political science and the Middle East. After working as the Deputy Secretary General of Sciences Po’s MEDMUN, Celeste is thrilled to be an Under Secretary General of Committees at CMUNCE. Outside of CMUNCE, she is a University Life Ambassador and member of the Columbia Political Review, Pre-Law Society, CU Turath, and the CU Raqs dance troupe. For fun, Celeste loves exploring the city, discovering local museums, and traveling. Celeste is ecstatic to welcome delegates to CMUNCE in her native city!

 

Joyce Li, USG of Committees

Joyce is a junior at Columbia College studying Cognitive Science, with a concentration in Computer Science. She has been involved with MUN ever since middle school, and has served as a Crisis Analyst and Chair at various CIRCA conferences before becoming a USG of Committees for CMUNCE. She has also visited the International Court of Justice in the Hague with her high school MUN team! In her spare time, she enjoys singing along to musical soundtracks, playing the piano, and taking photos (mostly of flowers and sunsets) around the city. She’s looking forward to sharing her passion for MUN with all the delegates at this year’s conference!

 

Eliana Steele,

USG of Committees

Eliana is a Sophomore student at Barnard College studying Linguistics, 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 on Columbia's MUN travel team and is on the secretariat for Columbia's other high school MUN conference, CESIMS, where she is the Chief of Education. Outside of MUN, she is a Teaching Assistant for Introduction to Linguistics with Professor John McWhorter. She looks forward to meeting all the delegates!

 

Anahí Cabrera-Murillo, USG of Committees

Anahí is a sophomore at Columbia University. She is on the pre-law track and majoring in Political Science, with a specialization in International Relations, and Human Rights. She is thrilled to be serving as a USG of Committees in this year’s conference. Anahí also serves as a USG of Committees in the CESIMS Secretariat, as well as serving on the board of the Latinx Professional Education Network. She spends her free time reading as many novels as possible while listening to whichever singer is her current obsession.

 

Michael Chan, USG of Marketing

Michael is a sophomore in Columbia College studying biochemistry and computer science. After working with CMUNCE as a Conference Operation Fellow, he is excited to serve as USG of Marketing for CMUNCE XIII. Aside from CMUNCE, Michael is an Print editor for CULR, does research in the Janowitz Lab at CSHL, and interns for Congresswoman Grace Meng. In his spare time, he enjoys playing the cello and getting beat by his friends in tennis. Michael is very excited for his second year in CMUNCE, and is looking forward to making this conference the best ever!

 

Jesus Vargas,

USG of Marketing

Jesus is a sophomore in Columbia College studying Political Science and East Asian Studies. He is excited to serve as a USG of Marketing for CMUNCE XXIII. Outside of CMUNCE, Jesus is Chief of Staff for CESIMS, a philanthropic Model UN conference for under-resourced NYC high school students. Additionally, Jesus is also part of the Columbia Spectator 's City News team. In his free time, Jesus enjoys doing film photography, exploring NYC, and taking care of house plants and aquariums.

 

Janessa Vargas,

USG of Programming

Janessa is a sophomore at Columbia College studying political science and ethnic studies. She was involved with CMUNCE last year as a Conference Operations Fellow and is excited to serve as an Under-Secretary of Programming for this year's conference. Outside of CMUNCE, Janessa is on the E-board for the Center for the Study and Ethnicity and Race (CSER)'s student advisory board and is assisting in the creation of an ethnic studies journal. In her free time, she likes to take long walks in Riverside Park and visit all of the art museums New York City has to offer.

 

David Kuang, USG of Programming

David is a Columbia sophomore studying Urban Studies and Physics. As a former high school competitor and CMUNCE alum, he's passionate about international development and workers rights. This year, he's looking forward to introducing delegates to CMUNCE's wide range of programming with various New York based missions, diplomats, and scholars. Outside of CMUNCE, David competes on the Columbia Figure Skating team and collects CDs.

 

Carly Yi, USG of Administration

Carly is a sophmore at Columbia College studying Economics and Political Science. She served as a Conference Operations Fellow last year, and is excited to serve as USG of Tech for her second CMUNCE conference. Aside from CMUNCE, Carly is the treasurer of CIRCA and involved in the Columbia Corporate Law and Business Association. On the weekends, she is probably shopping in SoHo and checking out new restaurants with her friends. Carly is super excited to welcome all of the delegates to CMUNCE XXIII!


Conference Operations Fellows (COFs)

Nina Thakur

Nina is a First-Year at Barnard College studying Political Science and Visual Arts. She is a Conference Operations Fellow and is super excited to be part of the CMUNCE Secretariat this year. Outside of CIRCA, she is part of the Remedy Project, the New York Small Claims Advisory Council, Orchesis Dance, and CU Art Society. In her free time, she enjoys going to galleries, exploring the city, and drawing around campus. She can't wait to meet the delegates!

Ashley Zhou

Ashley is a freshman in Columbia College, majoring prospectively in Religious Studies and Philosophy. She is a Conference Operations Fellow. Outside of CMUNCE, Ashley is part of the Columbia wind ensemble, china dance, and John Jay hall council. In her free time, she enjoys practicing mindfulness (esp. meditating!), swimming, playing the oboe, dancing, and eating good food. She is super excited for CMUNCE this year!

Dalia Darazim

Dalia is a freshmen at Columbia College majoring in Human Rights. She is excited to serve as a COF this year for CMUNCE. Outside of CIRCA, Dalia is a member of Women in Law and Politics, UNICEF, and Columbia Policy Institute. During her free time, she loves to explore New York City with her friends, especially trying out new eats and new music. Dalia loved Model UN in high school and is excited to meet all the new delegates and help them make the most out of their MUN experience!

Josie O'Hara

Josie O’Hara is a first-year in Barnard College studying economics and history. She is excited to join the CMUNCE team as a Conference Operations Fellow (COF). Outside of debate, Josie is involved with the Columbia Economics Society and the Barnard student government. She is particularly interested in criminal policy and has conducted research surrounding mass incarceration. In her free time, she enjoys fostering dogs, journaling in parks, and exploring the city.

Allen Cai

Allen is a First-Year at Columbia College interested in studying Biology and Political Science. He has had previous experience in MUN in High School and was a Crisis Analyst for CMUNNY. He is excited to be joining CMUNCE as a Conference Operations Fellow. He is a Staff Writer for the Columbia Political Review and is on the Columbia Men's Swim and Dive Team. When not stressing over exams and other commitments, he enjoys sleeping, gaming, exploring NYC, and hanging out with friends.