Here you can learn more about our various members
Name: Maisha Rashid
Official title:
President
Why you come to Columbia University? Who wouldn't want to? It is the best thing that happened to me. Barnard and Columbia not only opened it its doors to me and gave me all the opportunities that go with it, but these schools taught me how to be a leader and aspire to be the best I could be. There is no academic, scientific, artistic or political pursuit that is too big at Columbia. Just look at President Obama (Class of 1983), he became a writer, lawyer, professor and President of the United States.
What is your college major and future plans?I am a political science major and I am planning to become an academic in the field.
Why did you join Columbia Model Congress?I love public speaking. This group made me a leader and gave me the power to influence people's political awareness and improve their debate experience through Columbia Model Congress debates and conferences. I could not have asked for a better job.
What can others learn from a Columbia Model Congress experience? Where do I start? It teaches high school and college students how to stand up for social issues, how Congress works, how to speak confidently in public settings, how to organize conferences and other events, how to debate and much more.
Name one/two things about Columbia Model Congress' 2009 Conference that stood out to you.I was touched by my team's commitment to the conference. A small team of 10 people put together a conference for more than 250. Their discipline, commitment, hard work and willingness to put up with my demands (!) made the conference a success. I am very proud of my team and I am looking forward to putting together a bigger and better 2010 conference with this years team. Be sure to register your high school! Applications will be posted in the next few months!
Lastly, tell us one interesting detail about yourself that not many people know.
I know more than 5 languages and love everything Jane Austen.
Name: Justin Turetsky
Official title:
Vice President "Veep"
Why you came to Columbia University? The city, the campus, the people, the professors.
What is your college major and future plans? Political Science. Future plans? I cannot see into the future to read such plans. Maybe a robot.
Why did you join Columbia Model Congress? I was very involved in model Congress competitions through my high school. When I came to Columbia, I saw its table set up at the club fair and knew right away I wanted to be a part of it.
What can others learn from a Columbia Model Congress experience? It never hurts to get involved in campus activities. Columbia Model Congress is made up of a diverse group of interesting people. Time commitments will not be too demanding and you can gain experience and enjoyment from fun events. If you are a high school student, getting involved in academic clubs and meeting intelligent driven people is a great way to grow and learn. You will learn more about current events, politics, and your own political views. High school has many negative influences...pursuing constructive interests is a great way to spend your time. Also the CMC staff is awesome.
Name one/two things about Columbia Model Congress' 2009 Conference that stood out to you. The competitiveness of the sessions was incredible this year. Also the conference was very organized.
Lastly, tell us one interesting detail about yourself that not many people know.
I am on the Columbia University D-III club hockey team. Go Lions!
Name: Charlene Wang
Official title:
Publicity Coordinator
Why you came to Columbia University and, in particular, your university:It had the most laid back and quirky of campuses that I visited.
Why did you join Columbia Model Congress? I've always been interested in politics, but I never was able to join Model U.N. (there was no Model Congress at my school) because of scheduling conflicts, so I figured that this would be a good opportunity.
What are your interests/accomplishments in relation to skills required to run Columbia Model Congress? I'm just awesome?
What you think people can gain from joining Model Congress? (Columbia Model Congress’ high school conference in particular) I think it's a great way to learn more about our complex political system through a bipartisan manner. Anything from knowledge to public speaking skills to team working skills can be gained. The CMC high school conference will be a great way for high school students and Columbia students alike. Our members will gain organizational skills in planning this huge event while the high school students will be able to discuss politics while meeting other students all over the New York area.
Name: Gabrielle Sarpy
Official title: Events Coordinator
Why you come to Columbia University? A combination of the great professors, interesting classes and the opportunity to move to New York City.
What is your college major and future plans? I am an English major and as for future plans I will not reveal them for fear of jinxes, but rest assured I have them.
Why did you join Columbia Model Congress? The ability to discuss political and social issues with my peers was intriguing and Maisha (see club president) was a friend and convinced me to come at least once. I came once and just kept coming.
What can others learn from a Columbia Model Congress experience? How to engage in casual yet meaningful political discussions with groups of people who are not all poli-sci majors! We have econ majors, history majors, engineering majors, etc. There is no one "type" of person in CMC which means there is a diversity of interests and information floating about.
Name one/two things about Columbia Model Congress' 2009 Conference that stood out to you. How rewarding it was to sit back and breathe after the controlled chaos was concluded and think to myself, "Wow, I helped put this monster together". Also, watching the high school students give their speeches all dressed up and grownup-like was enjoyable! They were so earnest!
Lastly, tell us one interesting detail about yourself that not many people know.
I have a mild case of OCD when it comes to brushing my teeth. I can literally spend ten minutes brushing my teeth, but I can't brush them in the bathroom. I have to leave the bathroom and go somewhere else. Is that really an interesting detail, or is it just a weird detail?
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Name: Farida Begum
Official title: Co-Editor of The Congressman
Why you come to Columbia University?I love NYC and I wanted to be at a liberal arts college.
What is your college major and future plans? History/Human Rights, and Law School eventually down the road
Why did you join Columbia Model Congress? I liked having a place to discuss national issues and hearing others' point of views.
What can others learn from a Columbia Model Congress experience? How to become a confident public speaker.
Name one/two things about Columbia Model Congress' 2009 Conference that stood out to you.It was amazing how well composed the CMC members even when problems arose. It was very efficient, despite the amount of bills there were to get through.
Lastly, tell us one interesting detail about yourself that not many people know.
I have an obsession with literature trivia.
Name: Séverine Losembe
Why you came to Columbia University? As an international student from the Democratic Republic of the Congo, it is the prestige of Columbia University and the fascination for New York City’s multifaceted visage that brought me here.
What is your college major and future plans? I am a student at Barnard College and I will major in Political Science. I hope to go to Law School and to go back and work in the D.R. Congo.
Why did you join Columbia Model Congress? I have a strong interest in world politics and particularly in African and European politics. I thought being part of Columbia Model Congress would be an opportunity to objectively understand American domestic and international politics.
What can others learn from a Columbia Model Congress experience? I think being part of Model Congress is like being part of a high concentration of very intelligent, talkative and knowledgeable students. They are not afraid to voice their opinions and a Columbia Model Congress meeting is quite the place to come to if you are looking for a forum for free political expression.
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Name: Noelle Williams
Why you came to Columbia University? I decided to come to Columbia because it’s a great school in a great city! It was the only school I applied to.
What is your college major and future plans? I am an Economics- Political Science major that lives in the moment!
Why did you join Columbia Model Congress? I joined Columbia Model Congress because I did model congress all four years of high school and I wanted to continue to participate at the collegiate level.
What can others learn from a Columbia Model Congress experience? In addition to the skills of crafting a coherent, compelling argument and public speaking, I also believe that Model Congress instills the value of being an informed American citizen into its participants. As Americans, we are fortunate to have the right to participate in government and with this right, comes the responsibility of staying on top of salient political issues.
Name one/two things about Columbia Model Congress' 2009 Conference that stood out to you. The best moments of the 2009 conference were hearing the speeches of all of the delegates and having the opportunity to preside over the debate. I also enjoyed chatting with and getting to know the delegates in my committee while trying to find an open room for our committee session.
Lastly, tell us one interesting detail about yourself that not many people know.
I dance Flamenco.
Name: Matthew Rendely
Official title:
Webmaster
Why you came to Columbia University and, in particular, your university: In order to study engineering and economics as well as take advantage of the core classes to broaden my studies and meet as many of my classmates as possible. Also I look good in light blue.
Why did you join Columbia Model Congress? They needed a webmaster and I needed some web I could master. I also really love politics and encourage as many students as possible to start getting involved.
What are your interests/accomplishments in relation to skills required to run Columbia Model Congress? I grew up and went to high school in Washington, DC and shook Bill Clinton's hand while he was surveying his nephew's art at our school. And when I was very little I went to see Hillary Clinton and Big Bird from Sesame Street at the White House.
What you think people can gain from joining Model Congress? (Columbia Model Congress’ high school conference in particular) It's a great way to meet people with a similar interest in politics and exchange ideas, views, and funny stories in a comfortable atmosphere.
