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 Program 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 CCW 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.
Liz Chavez-Diaz
Basic Needs Resource Coordinator
Lizvet Chavez-Diaz (she/her/ella) Liz is proud to serve at the University of Utah’s Basic Needs Collective. Born in Oaxaca, Mexico, she moved to the U.S. to pursue higher education, earning her associate degree from Salt Lake Community College and a bachelor’s degree in Political Science from the University of Utah. Her journey continues to inspire her commitment to supporting all students and helping them access the resources they need to succeed.
In her role, Liz assists students in navigating basic-needs challenges by identifying
barriers and creating actionable plans. She connects students with essential resources
such as food, housing, health care, and financial support so they can not only meet
their immediate needs but also thrive and reach their academic goals. She is especially
passionate about simplifying processes and sharing information with non-traditional
and first-generation students who may be unfamiliar with available campus and community
support.
Colleagues describe Liz as approachable and dependable, with a strengths-based, trauma-informed
approach rooted in supporting every student and meeting them where they are on their
wellness journey.
Outside of work, Liz prioritizes her physical and emotional well-being. She enjoys staying active through gym workouts, hiking, and swimming, and values time spent with loved ones and her two dogs, who help her stay grounded and balanced each day.
Yeshi Tsering
UService Corps Basic Needs Member
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.