Kenneth Roach serves as Lander University's inaugural associate athletics director for club sports, providing strategic leadership for one of the fastest-growing areas of the Department of Athletics.
Roach oversees Lander's expanding Club Sports program, which includes bass fishing, cheer and dance, equestrian, esports and men's rugby, while leading the development of new competitive opportunities that enhance student engagement and support the university's enrollment and retention goals. Working collaboratively with campus partners, he guides the strategic growth of the Club Sports portfolio, creating meaningful opportunities for students to compete, develop leadership skills and build community beyond the classroom.
Entering his 13th year in higher education administration, Roach brings extensive experience in athletics, enrollment management, student recruitment, strategic planning and organizational leadership. His background in admissions and student success provides a unique perspective in aligning athletics initiatives with the university's broader mission of attracting, retaining and supporting students.
Prior to joining the Department of Athletics, Roach served in progressively responsible enrollment leadership roles at Lander University, Coastal Carolina University, the University of South Carolina and Coker University, where he concluded his admissions career as director of undergraduate and graduate admissions. Throughout his career, he has supervised professional staff and student employees while leading initiatives focused on recruitment strategy, process improvement, event management and organizational effectiveness.
Roach has also been an active leader in the admissions profession through the Carolinas Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers (CACRAO), serving as vice president for South Carolina admissions, chair of the South Carolina Scheduling Committee and chair of the South Carolina Educational Opportunities and Ethics Committee. In recognition of his leadership and service, he received the CACRAO Award of Excellence in 2016.
At Lander, Roach has been recognized for his commitment to the university community, earning Employee of the Month honors in 2021 and the Lander University Staff Excellence Award in 2022. He currently serves as chair of the Lander University Staff Senate.
A proud Lander alumnus, Roach earned a Bachelor of Science in sociology before completing graduate studies at Liberty University, where he earned a Master of Education in higher education administration with a concentration in educational leadership.
