UNLV 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 UNLV 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 UNLV 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 UNLV 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.