{"id":180,"date":"2026-07-15T07:48:14","date_gmt":"2026-07-15T11:48:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/studentlife.utk.edu\/basic-needs-wds-dev\/?page_id=180"},"modified":"2026-08-11T16:08:12","modified_gmt":"2026-08-11T20:08:12","slug":"about","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/studentlife.utk.edu\/basic-needs\/center-for-basic-needs\/about\/","title":{"rendered":"About"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\"\"<\/span>

About<\/h1><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
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College students\u2019 basic needs encompass essentials crucial for their personal well-being and academic success.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

These include secure housing, reliable food access, health care services, transportation options, financial resources, academic support, and personal safety. Meeting these needs is paramount in creating a supportive environment that enables students to focus on their studies, personal growth, and overall success at UT. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Center for\u00a0Basic Needs provides comprehensive basic needs support\u00a0through\u00a0one-on-one consultations, the Big Orange Pantry, Smokey\u2019s Closet, the Free Store,\u00a0emergency funding, and various outreach programs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Staff<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\n
\n
\n
\"Ciara<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\n
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Ciara Gazaway<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Director for Basic Needs<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

\n

cgazaway@utk.edu<\/a>  <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

\n
\n
\"person<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\n
\n

Vacant<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Assistant Director for Basic Needs<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

\n

  <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

\n
\n
\n
\"Dez<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\n
\n

Dez Newcomb<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Coordinator for Basic Needs Outreach<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

\n

dez@utk.edu<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

\n
\n
\"person<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\n
\n

Deandra Gordon<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Basic Needs Resource Navigator<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

College students\u2019 basic needs encompass essentials crucial for their personal well-being and academic success.   These include secure housing, reliable food access, health care services, transportation options, financial resources, academic support, and personal safety. 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