UST Hosts International Diplomacy Competition, Students Earn Top Honors

The Eugene Scassa Mock Organization of American States (ESMOAS) Program completed its 29th annual Summit of the Americas Conference & Competition, hosted for the first time by the University of St. Thomas (UST) in Houston, in November 2025. Recently released were the excellent rankings of UST students in this elite competition.

The three-day event "offers the only comprehensive model simulation and competition on Latin American studies in the nation," bringing together students to debate, research and negotiate issues affecting the Western Hemisphere.

UST has long been involved with the program and competed at a high level under the leadership of Dr. J. Ulyses Balderas, UST associate professor of Economics and Finance and Cullen Foundation Endowed Chair in Economics.

Dr. Balderas said hosting the event and seeing students excel was particularly meaningful.

"Hosting the XXIX ESMOAS Summit of the Americas last November was rewarding in different fronts," Dr. Balderas said. "It was great to see 14 UST Celts representing three different countries, shining in their diplomacy and negotiation skills-essential tools to build strong relationships and reach agreements in the professional world."

The UST delegations represented Venezuela, Guyana and Trinidad & Tobago and competed against 25 delegations from five countries that qualified for award consideration. St. Thomas students earned several top honors while also serving as hosts and ambassadors for both the University and the City of Houston.

Among the student awardees was Erika Ngo, head delegate for Trinidad & Tobago, who was awarded "Recognized Extemporaneous Speech" for her performance during the Crisis Scenario exercise. Her speech was prepared in under 10 minutes from a hypothetical news release given to delegates only 15 minutes earlier, placing her among the top three head delegates. Ngo's proposal for next year's summit debate agenda was also named one of five finalists.

Student Bryan Rojas was elected secretary-general of the organization for 2025, the second-highest student leadership role in the competition. Rojas also received the Julia Frederick and Mary Ellen Stegall Award for Outstanding Diplomacy, recognizing the participant who best represents the values of diplomacy and dialogue promoted by the program and the OAS.

"These students, along with a small selection of others, will be receiving invitations to serve on the ESMOAS Research & Writing Review Committee upon graduation," wrote Joshua Hyles, executive program director of the program, in a letter to UST.

Dr. Balderas said the event not only showcased student talent but also strengthened the institution's reputation among partner universities across the hemisphere.

"These events help our students shine and positively highlight our campus and our University among guest students and peer colleagues," Dr. Balderas said.

According to the organization, the summit is a model simulation of the Organization of American States in which teams of delegates representing countries in the Americas compete through debate, speech, writing, research and diplomacy. Students participate in multiple committees, including topical subcommittees, a budgetary committee, a trade commission focused on international business and trade agreements and a general committee where head delegates debate global issues while portraying heads of state.

The 2025 Summit of the Americas drew approximately 225 students, staff and faculty from 16 universities across Texas, Mexico, Central America and the Caribbean. Nearly two dozen volunteer judges and evaluators from public and private sector fields - representing institutions from Boston to Geneva to Mexico City - attended to evaluate the competitors.

"Universities from across the United States, México, Central America, and the Caribbean participate in our conference and competition each year," wrote Hyles.

Dr. Balderas and UST organizers are now preparing for the next conference, which will mark the organization's 30th anniversary when it returns to St. Thomas in November 2026.

"We are proud of all the students that participated," Dr. Balderas said. "I'm looking forward to host the very special XXX ESMOAS Summit this coming November."