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About Us

The Basic Needs Collective

MEDIA KIT

Our Team

A part of Student Affairs at The University of Utah, our service area is housed under The Dean of Students Office. We emphasize the collective nature and effort it takes to support students' needs.

Martha Hernandez

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Basic Needs Manager

 

Martha Hernandez (she/her/ella) is a University of Utah alumna. She graduated from Salt Lake Community College with an Associate of Arts in Education, and a Bachelor of Arts in History Teaching from the University of Utah. Martha is thrilled to be part of the BNC team! Through her work at the Basic Needs Collective, Martha supports student well-being and success by helping students learn about and connect with campus and community resources to help them meet their basic needs. Through her manager role, Martha provides logistical oversight for the Basic Needs Collective, supports the Basic Needs team, and works on building sustainable relationships with campus and community partners to secure resources for students. She believes in the importance of supporting students in meeting their basic needs to foster academic success, retention, and degree completion. Martha is a teacher at heart and life-long learner who enjoys reading, visiting new places, and learning new languages.  

Keaton Schrank

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Basic Needs Coordinator

Keaton Schrank (she/they) is thrilled to be a part of the University of Utah Basic Needs team! Originally from Texas, she received her bachelor’s in Environmental Science and Italian Studies from Wheaton College in Massachusetts then completed her master’s in Geography from Oregon State University. Before joining the BNC team, Keaton ran the Environmental Center and the Basic Needs program at Westminster University, where she oversaw their basic needs pantry, emergency funding, organic garden, and all sustainability and basic needs initiatives. Keaton is deeply passionate about helping folks get the resources they need to be successful in all aspects of their lives and cares deeply about university basic needs! She considers it a great honor to be able to support students during such a transformative time in their lives, and she believes in advocating for and supporting students as much as necessary both in and out of the classroom. When she’s not at work, Keaton enjoys thrifting, reading, musical theatre, playing and watching sports, and spending time with her wife and their three cats!

Jay Chaudhari

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Basic Needs U Service Corps Member

 

I'm Jay Chaudhari, an upcoming sophomore and first-generation student pursuing a bachelor's degree in Accounting with a minor in Psychology. I'm really excited to be joining the Basic Needs Collective as a U Service Corps member. I'm here because I want to make a positive impact on the community and love connecting with others. I'm looking forward to an amazing year ahead! In my free time, I enjoy playing tennis, hanging out with friends and traveling. 


 

 

 

 

 

Last Updated: 3/31/25