When Jayden Tillery of Columbia, Tennessee, arrived at UT, he could not have imagined what Rocky Top would mean to him four years later. A business analytics major graduating in May 2025, Tillery chose UT for its endless opportunities and believed that anything was possible on this campus for him if he kept up his strong work ethic and positive attitude. But earlier this year, a sudden injury challenged everything.
In January, Tillery suffered a significant setback due to a shoulder injury, putting him out of work. He had been working as a package handler for a major logistics company, a job that allowed him to cover rent and tuition. However, since the injury didn’t happen on the job, Tillery was put on leave. As his shoulder injury worsened, Tillery ultimately resigned from his position, leaving him both physically and financially strained.
Yet Tillery maintained a positive attitude. Determined to stay on course, he researched possible support resources and discovered the Basic Needs Emergency Fund, which is administered by the Center for Basic Needs. This fund assists eligible students to support or provide access to basic needs for emergency situations that can be resolved with one-time financial support. Tillery applied for assistance, met with Dez Newcomb, basic needs coordinator, and then took a sigh of relief.
“When a student’s basic needs are at risk or not being met at all, that takes their focus away from their classes and their academic success,” says Newcomb, who has been working with students to support basic needs access since 2020. In addition to managing the Basic Needs Emergency Fund, Newcomb also meets with students facing basic needs insecurity one-on-one to help connect them to campus and community resources like the Big Orange Pantry and Smokey’s Closet.
With financial stress relieved, Tillery was able to focus on academics along with his future. He turned his energy towards his career goals, successfully landing his dream internship and stepping into a leadership role as vice president of marketing for the Business Analytics Society. Tillery credits the Basic Needs Emergency Fund for opening doors he never thought possible.
“It was a massive weight lifted off my shoulders,” he reflects. “It opened doors for me in ways that, through no fault of their own, people without monetary hardships might not fully understand.” Now, as Tillery prepares to enter the workforce by interviewing for his next internship, he looks back on his deep connection with the UT community.
“I love UT. It’s given me a home, a loving community, and a second family,” Tillery says. The support he received through the Basic Needs Emergency Fund allowed him to be his best self, and he hopes the program continues to support future students who face similar challenges.
During 2023-2024, the Basic Needs Emergency Funds used $79,422 to help 138 students with one-time emergency assistance. Using data available so far, the number of students assisted is on track to double during 2024-2025.