2014 Emerging Leader Award

Geoffrey M. Roche ’08

The Emerging Leader Award is presented to an alumna or alumnus who graduated within the last ten years, for his or her leadership and dedicated service to Moravian College. The Moravian College Alumni Association gratefully acknowledges Geoffrey M. Roche ’08 as its 2014 Emerging Leader Award recipient for his outstanding service and dedicated leadership to Moravian College.

For nearly a decade, Geoffrey Roche ’08 has worked as a government relations professional, gaining extensive experience in government and legislative affairs and cultivating a proven track record of strong advocacy and communication skills. As director of community and government relations at Pocono Medical Center (PMC), Roche is responsible for developing and implementing an annual legislative agenda and serving as a liaison to local, state, and federal public officials, in addition to overseeing governmental matters impacting the center. He directs all community and media relations activities, aiding in the creation and maintenance of partnerships supporting public health goals and advocacy in communities served by PMC. Additionally, Roche was selected in 2013 as a Rural Health Fellow to participate in the National Rural Health Association’s yearlong, intensive program aimed at developing leaders who can articulate a clear and compelling vision for rural America.

As a student at Moravian, Roche was actively engaged in the community, serving in a variety of roles, including on the student senate and as treasurer of the student government. He was also active in Christian Fellowship, The Comenian, Model NATO, Gamma Sigma Sigma and Pi Sigma Alpha, and served as president of the Student Alumni Association. Roche fondly recalls his time as a resident advisor and resident director, which provided the unique and rewarding challenge of overseeing his peers.

Now in the midst of his second term of the Alumni Association’s Board of Directors, Roche continues to serve the Moravian community. His wife, Rebecca Angstadt Roche ‘08, just finished serving one term on the board, and they are involved in numerous alumni activities. Geoffrey has assisted in the facilitation of Student Government trainings on campus and student/alumni networking events, among other ways to connect students with alumni. Roche also serves in other volunteer capacities as Chair of the Monroe County Homeless Advisory Board, Chair of the American Heart Association Pennsylvania Legislative Planning Subcommittee, among other business and civic groups in the Poconos.