University of Nevada, Reno Admissions and Enrollment Services appointed Rena Hanks, former director of the College of Agriculture, Biotechnology and Natural Resources Student Center, for the new position of Admissions and Recruitment Coordinator in northeast Nevada.

Along with the Elko area, Hanks will act as recruitment coordinator in Wells, Jackpot, Spring Creek, Carlin, Eureka, Austin, Ely, McDermitt, Wendover, Battle Mountain and Owyhee.

Hanks will serve as the University contact regarding admissions and advising to potential University students and their parents. Hanks also plans to work with Great Basin College for transferring students to the University and will be visiting local high schools and providing information on the University and recruitment.

"By being a recruitment officer, Rena will cultivate the relationships between the students and the University and put the students in a strong position to attend the University," said Steve Maples, director of Admissions and Enrollment Services.

The position was created to increase the enrollment of students from the Elko area as well as to better serve a population who may not receive the same enrollment information from the University as potential students in Reno and Las Vegas do.

"As a land grant university, our obligation is not just to the local area but to those living all over the state," Maples said.

As a former director of the CABNR Student Center, Hanks was integral to recruiting and advising students in the college. Much of her past experience with CABNR coincides with the kind of work she'll be doing in the Elko area and made her a perfect candidate for the position, Maples said.