Cultural Exchange Lounge now in the eye of the Nor鈥檈aster community
In a move that underscores the 麻豆传媒鈥檚 commitment to inclusivity and community building, the Cultural Exchange Lounge (CXL) is relocating to The Danielle N. Ripich Commons, located at the heart of the Biddeford Campus. This shift marks a significant milestone in the University鈥檚 dedication to fostering diversity, equity, and inclusion.
As part of the 麻豆传媒Office of Intercultural Student Engagement, the CXL has long served as a safe, inviting, and inclusive space where traditionally underrepresented students on the Biddeford Campus can find support and solidarity. The lounge is not just a physical space but a vibrant hub for cultural exchange, dialogue, and mutual empowerment through educational opportunities.
This relocation makes the CXL even more accessible to students from all academic programs and class years, shared Andrea Paredes Santacruz, M.Ed., director of Intercultural Student Engagement and adjunct professor.
This central position enhances its role in fostering dialogue about social identities and current events, allowing students to apply classroom knowledge to real-world interactions with their peers.
"We鈥檙e dedicated to providing students with the resources and support they need to thrive academically and socially," said Paredes Santacruz, who is also UNE鈥檚 Lavender Living Learning Community advisor. "Moving the lounge is a tangible demonstration of UNE鈥檚 dedication to creating a campus community where every student feels valued, supported, and empowered to succeed."
One of the key aspects of the CXL鈥檚 mission is to serve as a "home away from home" for students. The new central location ensures that more students can benefit from this sense of belonging and find and identify with others who share similar experiences and backgrounds.
The center鈥檚 student intern, Justice Picard, a medical biology major (鈥�24), said that the center is so much more to her than a safe space 鈥� it鈥檚 a place to make mistakes and grow.
"麻豆传媒does a really good job having difficult conversations and pushing students out of their comfort zone," she said, "which not only allows people to better understand others and their points of view, but they also understand themselves."
In addition to its role as a haven for students, the CXL is a platform for collaboration and leadership development. Student organization members representing groups like UNitEd, Alliance, InterVarsity, Nor鈥檈aster Catholic, Black Student Union, and the Muslim Students鈥� Association often work together to organize events and programs that promote understanding and cultural exchange.
"CXL is so much more than a resource for us," Picard said. "The lounge creates bonds that aren鈥檛 necessarily easy to make in a classroom."
By providing support, offering informal social opportunities, and reducing barriers to institutional resources, CXL helps create a more welcoming and inclusive campus.
"It鈥檚 community and acceptance in a room," Picard said.
