51³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏ has hired Sarah Ralston as a consultant to serve as a community relations specialist and help the university build stronger ties with the Las Vegas community, President Carol Harter announced today.
"Sarah brings to us a strong background in community and media relations," Harter said. "We will have her work on a variety of both ongoing and future projects."
Ralston will begin work for 51³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏ Oct. 9 on a month-to-month consulting contract, with the initial expectation that she will continue in that capacity though June 30, 2001. At that time, the situation will be re-evaluated. She will be paid $8,500 per month, without benefits. All funding for Ralston's contract will be provided to the university through the 51³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏ Foundation. The funding has been provided specifically for this purpose from a private source.
"Sarah will work with staff members in our university and community relations division to help us refine the way we communicate about the progress 51³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏ is making," Harter said. "She will help us explain to our stakeholders our plans to become a strong research university and a partner in Nevada's economic diversification."
A former television news anchor, Ralston led the Mandalay Resort Group community relations division for many years.
