Cultural Exchange Lounge now in the eye of the Nor’easter community
In a move that underscores the University of New England’s 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’s dedication to fostering diversity, equity, and inclusion.
As part of the UNE 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’re dedicated to providing students with the resources and support they need to thrive academically and socially," said Paredes Santacruz, who is also UNE’s Lavender Living Learning Community advisor. "Moving the lounge is a tangible demonstration of UNE’s dedication to creating a campus community where every student feels valued, supported, and empowered to succeed."
One of the key aspects of the CXL’s 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’s student intern, Justice Picard, a medical biology major (’24), said that the center is so much more to her than a safe space — it’s a place to make mistakes and grow.
"UNE 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’easter Catholic, Black Student Union, and the Muslim Students’ 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’t 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’s community and acceptance in a room," Picard said.
