Rolf van de Kerkhof

Candidate for Associate Director of Admissions • Advancement • Athletics

A championship-proven, relationship-driven leader with over 25 years of experience in collegiate coaching, advancement strategy, enrollment collaboration, community engagement, and youth development.

Rolf combines exceptional interpersonal skills with institutional vision, bringing a unique blend of admissions insight, fundraising success, and athletic excellence.

As Associate Director for Admissions, Advancement, and Athletics, Rolf will bring the full force of his experience to Sanford—strengthening student recruitment, building donor relationships, elevating school visibility, and inspiring student success.

⭐ SECTION ONE — ADMISSIONS VALUE & IMPACT

What Rolf Brings to Admissions

• 20+ years guiding families through high-stakes academic and athletic admissions decisions.
• Deep experience communicating with students & parents, building trust, clarity, and long-term engagement.
• Skilled at identifying student potential and aligning it with institutional fit.
• Collaborated with UD Admissions, Advancement, Business College, and International Programs.
• Cross-cultural experience from The Netherlands and international tours.

How His Role Supports Admissions

1. Increased Enrollment Through Relationship-Centered Recruitment — Rolf builds instant rapport.
2. Authentic Student-Centered Storytelling — He shares compelling success stories.
3. Expanding Admissions Pipelines — Clinics, clubs, and outreach drive inquiries.
4. Stronger International & Multicultural Reach — His global background attracts diverse families.
5. More Effective Admissions Events — He elevates tours, open houses, and yield events.

⭐ SECTION TWO — ADVANCEMENT & COMMUNITY IMPACT

What Rolf Brings to Advancement

• Creator of the Locker Donor Program (>$100K raised).
• Leader of six-figure fundraising initiatives.
• Expert in donor stewardship through gratitude.
• 25+ years engaging alumni, parents, and community partners.
• Builder of school visibility–boosting events.

How His Role Supports Advancement

1. Strengthening Donor Relationships Through Mission Alignment
2. Creating Signature Sanford Giving Programs — scholarships, arts, athletics, giving days.
3. Building Thriving Alumni Networks
4. Increasing Visibility Through Outreach
5. Elevating Events & Stewardship

⭐ SECTION THREE — ATHLETICS LEADERSHIP & PROGRAM ELEVATION

What Rolf Brings to Athletics

• NCAA National Champion (2016).
• 10 NCAA Tournament appearances.
• Big Ten Champion & Coach of the Year.
• USA Field Hockey national educator.
• Founder, Empower Field Hockey Academy.
• 26 consecutive semesters GPA > 3.30.
• Mentor to staff, coaches, and athletes.

How His Role Supports Sanford Athletics

1. Elevating overall program culture.
2. Coaching development & mentorship.
3. Pipeline growth through youth engagement.
4. Strengthening academics through athletics.
5. Enhancing school spirit & community pride.

⭐ SECTION FOUR — ACADEMIC ENRICHMENT & SCHOOL-WIDE LEADERSHIP

What Rolf Brings to Sanford Academics

• Creator of the Most Valuable Professor Program.
• Built academically elite teams (26 semesters >3.30 GPA).
• Designs leadership & personal development programs.
• Experienced cross-department collaborator.
• National educator & mentor.

How His Role Supports Academics

1. Strengthening the academic–athletic bridge.
2. Student leadership development.
3. Enhancing wellness & belonging.
4. Supporting faculty–student connections.
5. Schoolwide culture leadership.

⭐ SECTION FIVE — LEADERSHIP, SERVICE & COMMUNITY VISION

Whole-School Leadership

• NFHCA leadership & national committee service
• Search committee experience
• NCAA event support
• Community volunteerism
• School parent & liaison roles
• Free coaching clinics for underserved communities

His ethos reflects The Sanford Way: community, excellence, integrity, leadership, and student-centered care.

🔵 YEAR 1 OVERVIEW

Rolf’s first year will focus on three pillars:

• Listen → Learn → Integrate
  Building relationships with students, faculty, families, coaches, alumni, and leadership teams.
• Strengthen → Align → Elevate
  Enhancing processes across Admissions, Advancement, and Athletics to align with Sanford’s mission and increase community engagement.
• Communicate → Connect → Inspire
  Positioning Sanford more visibly in the community while nurturing a culture of excellence, trust, and belonging.

🔵 QUARTER-BY-QUARTER PLAN

⭐ Q1: Foundation, Listening & Strategic Alignment (Months 1–3)

🎯 Primary Goals: Build trust, understand systems, identify opportunities.

RELATIONSHIP DEVELOPMENT

• Meet with division heads, academic leaders, faculty, and staff.
• Host “Coffee with Rolf” sessions for families.
• Conduct 1:1 meetings with all coaches.
• Meet with Advancement staff, donors, and alumni leaders.

ADMISSIONS

• Review admissions funnel, messaging, and tours.
• Analyze historical inquiry → enrollment trends.
• Observe interviews, tours, and communications.
• Identify new feeder schools and community pipelines.

ADVANCEMENT

• Audit fundraising and stewardship systems.
• Host listening sessions with donors and volunteers.
• Analyze donor segmentation and communication patterns.

ATHLETICS

• Observe practices, games, and team culture.
• Meet with each coach on needs and vision.
• Review facilities, scheduling, and compliance.

ACADEMICS

• Meet faculty who mentor student-athletes.
• Assess Most Valuable Professor model for Sanford use.

KEY Q1 OUTCOMES:

• Relationship map
• Admissions pipeline assessment
• Advancement opportunity report
• Athletics program audit
• Faculty partnership plan

⭐ Q2: Launching High-Impact Initiatives (Months 4–6)

🎯 Primary Goals: Implement early wins, increase visibility, strengthen connections.

ADMISSIONS INITIATIVES

• Introduce “Sanford Stories” for family-focused tours.
• Launch Sanford Athletics + Arts Community Days.
• Expand outreach to youth clubs and partners.
• Develop “Future Sanford Scholars” program.

ADVANCEMENT INITIATIVES

• Create Sanford Locker Donor Program.
• Launch Faculty Honor Roll.
• Host a donor appreciation breakfast.
• Build community visibility + media calendar.

ATHLETICS INITIATIVES

• Implement coaching development workshops.
• Launch multi-sport youth clinics.
• Develop student-athlete leadership curriculum.

ACADEMIC SUPPORT

• Improve academic–athletic communication systems.
• Start a Student Success Roundtable.

KEY Q2 OUTCOMES:

• New donor program launched
• Youth engagement pipeline developed
• Enhanced admissions tour experience
• Faculty recognition prototype
• Coaching education underway

⭐ Q3: Growth, Optimization & Community Engagement (Months 7–9)

🎯 Primary Goals: Expand programs, deepen relationships, enhance culture.

ADMISSIONS EXPANSION

• Strengthen multicultural and international pathways.
• Create Sanford Ambassador Program.
• Host mid-year Admissions Open House.

ADVANCEMENT GROWTH

• Formalize alumni network groups.
• Launch Sanford Impact Series.
• Prepare year-end giving campaign.

ATHLETICS ELEVATION

• Launch coach mentorship pairings.
• Begin athletics branding initiatives.
• Expand youth feeder programs.

ACADEMICS

• Launch leadership workshops.
• Build support for high-achieving student-athletes.
• Create cross-department faculty collaboration.

KEY Q3 OUTCOMES:

• Alumni network activated
• International admissions plan
• Year-end giving campaign ready
• Leadership curriculum launched
• Athletics branding improvements

⭐ Q4: Institutional Impact & Long-Term Vision (Months 10–12)

🎯 Primary Goals: Demonstrate measurable progress and set multi-year vision.

ADMISSIONS

• Review full admissions cycle + Year 2 recommendations.
• Produce data-informed Impact Report.
• Strengthen feeder school partnerships.

ADVANCEMENT

• Launch Sanford Giving Day.
• Deliver stewardship plan for next cycle.
• Establish legacy donor program.

ATHLETICS

• Develop 3–5 year athletics vision.
• Outline facility and staffing needs.
• Create Sanford Athletics Handbook.

ACADEMICS & CULTURE

• Institutionalize Academic–Athletic Bridge initiative.
• Evaluate student leadership + wellness programs.
• Form cross-disciplinary committees for Year 2.

KEY Q4 OUTCOMES:

• Annual admissions summary report
• Advancement stewardship plan
• Athletic long-range plan
• Academic–Athletic Bridge formalized
• Schoolwide culture enhancements

⭐ YEAR ONE KEY SIGNATURE DELIVERABLES

• Admissions: Increased engagement, expanded pipelines, stronger storytelling.
• Advancement: Donor programs launched, Giving Day, alumni network growth.
• Athletics: Elevated coaching culture, feeder programs, academic alignment.
• Academics: Leadership workshops, student systems, faculty recognition.
• Community: Higher visibility, unity, shared purpose.

⭐ SUMMARY: WHAT SANFORD GAINS IN YEAR 1

• More unified
• More visible
• More connected
• More community-centered
• More mission-aligned
• More student-focused
• Stronger for long-term growth

This Year 1 plan demonstrates how Rolf’s rare combination of leadership, empathy, strategy, and relationship-building will elevate Sanford School across Admissions, Advancement, and Athletics.

⭐ Why Rolf Is the Ideal Associate Director for Admissions • Advancement • Athletics

• Elite leadership experience
• Institutional vision
• Fundraising success
• Enrollment & recruitment expertise
• Community-building skill
• Youth development expertise
• A championship mindset grounded in humility

Rolf represents the highest standard of leadership, professionalism, and commitment to student success.

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