MISSOULA — The University of Montana has hired a consultant to teach university leaders how to better communicate with the media in a crisis situation and on sensitive issues regarding student privacy, a Montana university system spokesman said.
UM paid $10,000 to contract with Teresa Valerio Parrot and she has already held one session with university President Royce Engstrom and his cabinet, said university system communications director Kevin McRae.
“She has a very good curriculum on training and updating leaders on how to work cooperatively with the media and the public,” McRae told the Missoulian.
Circumstances in the past year have led Engstrom to seek some guidance and advice on public relations, McRae said.
The university faces U.S. Department of Justice and U.S. Department of Education investigations into its handling of sexual assault reports and claims of sexual harassment along with an NCAA investigation into the football program.
Valerio Parrot couldn’t be reached for comment, but her profile said she has provided media, communications and marketing assistance to a number of universities, including Baylor, Youngstown State and Loyola of Maryland. She also worked for nearly 10 years with the University of Colorado System, including two years during which she helped Colorado University address allegations of gang rapes and assaults by football players and recruits.
While at the Boulder campus, Valerio Parrot also served as director of donor relations, helping CU complete a $1 billion fundraising campaign.
UM is searching for a new vice president of integrated communications and Valerio Parrot will advise the school on how to reshape the post, McRae said.
“The university has an interest in getting some advice and assurance from a qualified professional that its leadership team is contemporary and up to speed on its effectiveness and ability to work with the public and news organizations as well as it should,” McRae said.