DURHAM, N.H. - In the wake of the state's $32.5 million budget cut to the University of New Hampshire, administrators remain focused on the crucial role the institution must play in the future of the state and recently announced the hiring of Steve Marchand, former mayor of the city of Portsmouth, as director of corporate relations. Marchand, who will begin Jan. 3, 2012, has been charged with strengthening the relationship between the university and business leaders throughout the state.

"UNH can and should be the primary engine for sustainable economic growth in the state and it was identified in the university's 10-year strategic plan as a top priority," said Jan Nisbet, senior vice provost for research at UNH. "The recent dramatic cut in state aid reinforced the need to generate alternate revenue streams and having Steve in this position will allow us to continue to build strong relationships with the private sector that will create jobs, support research partnerships, encourage a more entrepreneurial spirit throughout the state, and provide our students with a world-class education."

Marchand was most recently founder and managing director of The Marchand Group, a public affairs consulting firm specializing in political consulting and fundraising for state and national advocacy groups as well as candidates for elected office. He also served as the youngest mayor in the state when he was elected to the position in 2006, was associate state director of AARP, and is a member and former northeastern regional director of the Concord Coalition. Marchand serves on the board of directors of the Seacoast Repertory Theatre, and has been on the boards of several other nonprofits including the United Way of the Greater Seacoast, Sexual Assault Support Service and CityYear New Hampshire.

"The future success of New Hampshire's economy is closely linked to the future success of UNH," said Marchand. "This position gives me the opportunity to combine my two passions - education and entrepreneurialism - as we partner across the state and beyond with the private sector to work toward the same goals - strength and sustainability in our job market,  our skilled workforce, and our culture of globally-competitive innovation."

The University of New Hampshire, founded in 1866, is a world-class public research university with the feel of a New England liberal arts college. A land, sea, and space-grant university, UNH is the state's flagship public institution, enrolling 12,200 undergraduate and 2,300 graduate students.

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