by lcapitan in January 2026 Newsletter

UNE Core Value Spotlight: Community and Belonging

At the University of New England, one of our Core Values is Community and Belonging. We believe that the benefits of a richly varied campus community arise not only from the diversity of its people but also from a shared sense of belonging. This environment fosters opportunities to explore and celebrate differences in backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives—grounded in cultural humility and a commitment to ethical ideals.

In support of this core value, UNE embraces traditions and creates opportunities for students to feel connected to the University, Biddeford, and the broader Southern Maine community. Two great examples of these initiatives are Give Back and Get Lit and Meals for Maine.

Group of volunteers wearing hairnets and Meals for Maine t-shirts package food into colored bins during community service event.

Meals for Maine is an event that took place on September 17th, 2025. UNE sponsored this event in partnership with a non-profit organization called The Pack Shack, whose focus remains on supporting the nutrition needs of communities around the US. The event, which was held on both the Biddeford and Portland campuses, brought together nearly 400 volunteers and packed a whopping 15,348 meals that were donated to food pantries across the state of Maine.

Student volunteer hangs decorative ribbons on tree branches during UNE's Give Back and Get Lit community service event in downtown Biddeford.

Since 2017, Give Back and Get Lit has been a signature event sponsored by the sophomore class in collaboration with the Heart of Biddeford and Seeds of Hope. Each November, students converge on Biddeford’s downtown to help decorate Main Street and its storefronts for the upcoming holiday season. With paintbrushes and lights in hand, students brighten the city by stringing up festive decorations, painting cheerful window designs, and spending the afternoon alongside small business owners and community members. While hosted by the sophomore class, Give Back and Get Lit is always open to all UNE students who wish to participate.

Programs like Give Back and Get Lit and Meals for Maine embody UNE’s ongoing commitment to its Core Value of Community and Belonging—building bridges, fostering shared experiences, and celebrating the spirit of togetherness that defines the UNE experience.

To learn more about the University’s community partner, visit Heart of Biddeford.