James R. Roach

James R. Roach "became the seventh president of Western Connecticut State University on September 18, 1992. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Education, cum laude, at Boston College; a Certificat d’etude from the University of Geneva, Switzerland; and a doctorate in World Religions at Boston University. He completed post-doctoral work at Harvard University’s Institute for Educational Management. Dr. Roach served in the United States Navy.

"Dr. Roach’s leadership experience includes service at North Adams State College as Academic Dean and Vice President for Academic Affairs. In 1986, he accepted the presidency of the University of Maine at Presque Isle, where he served until his appointment to WestConn.

"Dr. Roach continues to be an active member of many professional and academic organizations, including the American Association of State Colleges and University (AASCU), where he serves on the Committee on International Education; the American Council on Education (ACE); and the International Association of University Presidents (IAUP), an association of chief executive officers from higher education institutions around the world. He currently serves as Chair of the North American Council of IAUP and is head of IAUP’s Mission to the United Nations. He is a member of the Board of Directors of the Jane Goodall Institute for Wildlife Research, Education, and Conservation. He also serves on several Danbury area agency boards, including the Board of Directors of the Greater Danbury Chamber of Commerce."

His wife is Denise Hogan.