Many students and staff members have had an opportunity to take a stroll through the Truax Campus central area, an area that has been drastically transformed from what it looked, felt, and even smelled like at the end of last spring semester.

Like most academic buildings, Madison College Truax Campus’ first floor features many of its most visited student organizations and offices, including a large cafeteria atrium, and the school’s bookstore, amongst other spaces.

Included in these locations is one of Madison College’s newest and most exciting spaces: The Intercultural Exchange.

According to the Diversity and Multicultural Programming section of Madison College’s website, “this space on campus strives to promote access, equity, and academic success … a climate of social justice, and offers programs and services that enhance personal growth and educate the campus about diversity in all its forms.”

To best understand the space and all it has to offer, though, one would be better off visiting the location located in Room C1430. It’s nearly impossible to miss for those who spend any amount of time in the Truax Campus building. However, understanding and utilizing it as a resource is indeed a task offered up to the college’s students and staff beginning this fall.

According to Student Program Advisor, Rogelio (Ro) Encizo Jr., it’s a task the college has been yearning to tackle for a long time now.

“The idea of the [Intercultural] Exchange is something that students and staff have long hoped to have on campus and … was formed with the intent of creating a space much like the one you see here today,” he said. “For years, there has been Diversity and Multicultural Programming on campus, but even in the last two years … students have often felt like it happened behind the scenes, and often in classrooms, not very visible.”

In an ever-changing society, these types of opportunities are crucial to our ability to understand the world around us, how we “fit in,” and the ways in which we would like to become involved in our many cultures and communities.

“I believe that not only will this space expose students to new ideas, beliefs, and practices, but it will also try to bring a better understanding of events that have happened. … To ask more questions about each other. To have uncomfortable conversations in order to truly learn and grow from one another,” said Encizo.

Over the past couple weeks, students and staff have naturally, and possibly without ever knowing it, found themselves utilizing space and resources offered by the Intercultural Exchange. This, according to Encizo, is the purpose of the space: to provide an organic experience where students of all backgrounds, with an infinite range of needs and goals, can further their growth as students and as people.

On that same note, the space is designed for anyone to engage and learn, something that is at the heart of a high-value educational experience.

As you pass the Intercultural Exchange space this semester, consider this challenge from Encizo: “We all have stories to tell, but are you willing to share your story and learn from others?” Your first step might just be to pay the space a visit.