RENO, Nev. (AP) - The former chief of staff to Gov. Brian Sandoval has been named special assistant to the president for external affairs at University of Nevada, Reno.

Heidi Gansert will help involved in university outreach and building partnerships with business and industry, organizations and other agencies.

Her appointment was announced Wednesday by UNR President Marc Johnson.

Gansert served as Sandoval's chief of staff from January 2011 until her resignation in September. Before that she served six years in the Nevada Assembly, representing District 25 in Reno.

Gansert says UNR is vital to Nevada's quality of life and economic development, and she's honored to play a role in strengthening its community involvement.

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