While illegal immigration has been front and center of a political debate, almost 1,500 economists are shifting the focus to legal immigration, including a UNLV professor.

Here’s what they are saying about new UNLV athletic director Desiree Reed-Francois:
Whit Babcock, Virginia Tech athletic director:
“Desiree did an outstanding job at Virginia Tech. She made us better in so many ways and she will be missed. However, I am extremely happy and excited for her, Josh and Jackson to have such a wonderful opportunity at UNLV. It’s a great fit all around. Desiree is ready and prepared to be an elite athletic director. I am very confident the department and program will grow and prosper under her direction and vision.”

UNLV will introduce new athletic director Desiree Reed-Francois at 2 p.m. Tuesday at the Thomas & Mack Center.

Elissa Lafranconi might be done with undergraduate work at UNLV, but she’s still putting down roots on campus.

UNLV announced today the hiring of Desiree Reed-Francois as its new athletic director.

According to a source, Desiree Reed-Francois has signed a contract to become UNLV's next athletic director. UNLV plans to formally introduce Reed-Francois at a Tuesday afternoon press conference.

UNLV’s search for a new athletic director could be drawing to a close. According to two sources, Virginia Tech Deputy AD Desiree Reed-Francois has emerged as the leading candidate, though no deal has been finalized.

Desiree Reed-Francois has been hired as athletics director for UNLV, the school announced Monday. Reed-Francois is the current deputy athletics director at Virginia Tech and will take over in Las Vegas on June 1.

The University of Nevada Las Vegas reportedly has a new athletics director. Sources close to the hiring process say Virginia Tech’s Desiree Reed-Francois signed a contract on Saturday. Las Vegas newspapers report UNLV plans to officially reveal the hiring at a press conference Tuesday.