About Us
The Basic Needs Collective
Mission
We support student well-being and success. As a coordinated resource referral hub, we educate and connect students to campus and community resources to help them meet their basic needs.
Process
As a central location for resource referrals related to basic needs, we aim to help students attain and sustain optimal physical and mental health, personal connections, meaningful experiences and promote wellness as a key to student success.
Vision
Support student learning through education, capacity building, and supportive resources so they may achieve their academic potential, complete their degrees, and succeed in their future goals.
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
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
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!
Yeshi Tsering
Basic Needs Intern
My name is Yeshi Tsering, and I am a second-year student at the University of Utah majoring in Finance. The BNC intrigued me because I’m passionate about being involved on campus and building stronger connections within the university community. I see BNC as a meaningful way to both support students and grow in my own leadership and service. Being involved across campus has been an important part of my college experience, and through BNC I’m excited to continue contributing while learning how to better support the needs of my peers. I’ve lived in Utah my whole life, and outside of school I enjoy spending time in nature, going on hikes, playing basketball, and being with friends and family.
Partner Offices
Each one of our partner offices brings specialized knowledge to the BNC, which allows us to provide students with the resources and tools they need to succeed. Learn more about each of the offices that help make our work possible.