Rutgers University–Newark Debate Team Builds on Its National Reputation for Excellence During 2024-2025 Season
The Rutgers University–Newark Debate Team continued to build on its national reputation for excellence during the 2024–2025 academic year, marked by competitive success, public engagement, and international impact. In partnership with the New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT) and the School of Public Affairs and Administration (SPAA), the team elevated its presence across collegiate circuits, hosted national tournaments, and represented the university on global stages.
September 2024
Rutgers-Newark kicked off the season by hosting the Social Justice Debates Season Opener, a national tournament focused on public policy and ethical reasoning. The event, part of the Civic Debate Consortium's Social Justice Debate Series, attracted top collegiate teams and reaffirmed RU-N’s leadership in socially engaged debate education.
October 2024
The team competed at Hart House IV in Toronto, a prestigious international British Parliamentary tournament.
Meanwhile, a team comprised of Alya Nasrallah (’25), Moujan Moghimi (’26), and Melanie Garcia (’26) placed second overall at the Vanderbilt Global Free Speech Summit, where they presented a policy proposal addressing political disinformation and the First Amendment before a panel of national experts. It was led by SPAA and RU-N Debate alum Carlos Astacio.
In addition, students from both Rutgers-Newark and NJIT competed in online regional tournaments, expanding access and training opportunities.
November 2024
The team traveled to Loyola University Chicago for the second Social Justice Debate tournament of the season. New debaters were introduced to the British Parliamentary format at the Huber Debates in Burlington, Vermont.
January 2025
Rutgers hosted the prestigious Rutgers Round Robin, an elite, invitation-only policy debate tournament. The event reaffirmed RU-N’s role as a hub for high-level intercollegiate debate and drew recognition for its logistical excellence and hospitality.
February 2025
The team competed at the Social Justice Debate Championship hosted by Morehouse College. At Novice Nationals held at Cornell University, newer members gained valuable experience. At LSU’s Mardi Gras Tournament, Alya Nasrallah placed 5th in IPDA format, and Moujan Moghimi earned second and third place honors in Poetry Interpretation.
March 2025
Rutgers-Newark placed third at the Transatlantic Dialogue in Denver with Desteny Padilla (’28), Simran Dabas (’26), and Siya Srivastava (’26). The team also competed at Seattle University and traveled to South Korea for the International Forensics Association Championship, where several students placed in the Top 20.
Rutgers hosted the 2025 Cross Examination Debate Association (CEDA) National Championship, welcoming over 30 universities. Director Willie Johnson received the Odekirk Award, and alum Devane Murphy served as CEDA President.
May 2025
Rutgers hosted the annual Elite 8 EMS Debate Championship and the EMS Commencement Banquet alongside the Newark Debate Academy. SPAA was honored for its contributions to developing the EMS debate pipeline.
June 2025
Five students participated in the 2nd Tanzania Academic Summer Debate Tour, which included the Mlimani Open, where Alya Nasrallah earned the Rising Star Award and alum Carlos Astacio and Director Willie Johnson were named third and first Best Adjudicator. The trip also included a public debate on Tanzanian tourism and the second African Social Justice Debates, where Desteny Padilla and Geetika Doshi earned top honors.
Conclusion
Through its unwavering commitment to excellence, social justice, and civic dialogue, the Rutgers University–Newark Debate Team continues to uphold its mission of developing scholars, advocates, and leaders ready to engage the most pressing challenges of our time — locally and globally.
