Corrected: Lebanon Valley College Names Geoffrey M. Roche Vice President of Strategic Initiatives and Secretary to the Board

Annville, PA (12/01/2017) — After a national search, Geoffrey M. Roche, current director of legislative affairs for the Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency (PHEAA), emerged from a strong and diverse pool of candidates to be named vice president of strategic initiatives and secretary to the board for Lebanon Valley College. Roche is a public-affairs professional with more than 10 years of experience in health care, government relations, external affairs, and board development. Roche, formerly of Saylorsburg and Bethlehem, will join LVC Jan. 2, 2018.

"Geoffrey's broad experiences in health care and higher education make him an excellent choice to develop strategic partnerships that enhance the educational experience of our students and benefit the region," said Dr. Lewis E. Thayne, LVC president.

In addition to working with the faculty, Roche will manage government relations on behalf of Lebanon Valley College, serve as secretary to the Board of Trustees, and collaborate with President Thayne and the campus community on the College's strategic plan, Envision 2020.

"Lebanon Valley College is truly a special place," said Roche. "Its deep sense of community is abundantly clear, and I look forward to supporting LVC as a leader in and out of the classroom through innovative partnerships."

At PHEAA, Roche is the lead liaison with the General Assembly, external agencies, schools, and state agencies, and serves as the key contact for college and university associations, including AICUP, PASSHE, and the PA Commission for Community Colleges. Prior to PHEAA, he spent almost nine years at the Pocono Medical Center as director of public and government affairs. In this role, Roche was responsible for community partnerships and sponsorships, media outreach, planning leadership for centers and clinics, and public policy and legislative strategies.

Roche has served on the boards of the Moravian College Alumni Association, East Stroudsburg University Foundation, and Alzheimer's Association Greater Pennsylvania Chapter. He is a former Pennsylvania Legislative Policy Chair for the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association.

Roche earned a bachelor of arts in political science from Moravian College, which in 2014 recognized him with its 2014 Emerging Leader Award. He holds a master of public administration in the field of management and leadership from East Stroudsburg University.