Spring 2022 Crisis Simulation Exercise

The Spring 2022 Crisis Simulation, held on February 25th and 26th, put students in the role of policymakers in the United States and Latin America, as a migration crisis along the Venezuela-Peru border threatened to destabilize the region. Students played the role of diplomatic, intelligence, and military professionals conducting multilateral negotiations to ameliorate or resolve the crisis. For the second straight year, cadets from University of Kentucky ROTC joined the simulation, along with a selection of guests from various undergraduate programs. Several Patterson School alumni joined the simulation as mentors. 

Camden Hanley, current student, says "it is one of the most engaging, educational, and fun things I have done at the Patterson School. It gives students a chance to implement various team strategies and negotiating tactics that can't be replicated in a classroom setting. The use of the journalism students, press conferences, and social media gives students the unique experience of messaging and crafting a narrative to sway the opinions of other teams."

Dalton Goble (left), leader of the Venezuelan team, and Camden Hanley (right) shaking hands after Venezuela and China agreed to construct a joint military base.

Here, Kayden Jenson is temporarily detained as an honored guest/kidnapped by Team China with Cory Lee, ROTC team member Devyn, and Camden Hanley.