President’s Cabinet

Ian Binnington, Dean for the Student Experience and Professor of History and Black Studies, oversees the Maytum Center for Student Success, the Office of Student Life, and the Class Deans. These three areas provide holistic, integrated, and student-centered academic advising and support, a safe and engaged student residential experience, and 360° support for students. He also provides leadership support for student retention efforts, to the Allegheny Bound Orientation and Transition Program for new first-year and transfer students, the Gator Success Grants program, and the student Honor Code. Ian came to Allegheny in 2006 after completing his Ph.D. in history at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and after four years teaching at Eastern Illinois University. He has taught in the Departments of History and Black Studies since 2006, chaired Black Studies from 2012 to 2016, and has served on the Academic Standards and Awards Committee, the Curriculum Committee, the Diversity and Gender Equity Committee, the Campus Life and Community Standards Committee, and Faculty Council. He has served as College Registrar and Dean of Curriculum and Dean for Student Success. His teaching interests include 19th-century American history, the American Civil War, and African-American history. He has published on the history of Confederate nationalism and on role-immersion play into college classrooms.

Jennifer Dearden became the interim provost in 2024 after serving as Associate Provost since 2021 and in the Music Department since 2007. As Associate Provost, Jennifer co-led Allegheny’s reaccreditation process with the Middle States Commission on Higher Education, has held leadership roles in the FS Program and academic advising, and served as the Provost’s representative on several College committees. As a member of the Music Department, Jennifer served as the Chair from 2019-2021, and directed the Allegheny College Civic Symphony for nine years in addition to teaching trumpet lessons, brass chamber ensembles, and numerous courses in the Music curriculum. Jennifer continues to perform throughout western Pennsylvania with the Northwest Passage Trumpet Trio, and can be heard on their debut album Expeditions. In addition to serving on the Erie Philharmonic Board of Governors, Jennifer serves on the Board of Directors for the International Trumpet Guild (ITG) and has participated in numerous performances at ITG annual conferences. Jennifer holds a DMA in Trumpet Performance from the University of North Texas, an MM from Florida State University, and a Bachelor of Music from Ithaca College.

As Dean of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, Heather Moore Roberson serves as the senior diversity officer of the College and leads the Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. The office works to advance inclusive excellence by shaping, implementing, and supporting policies, strategies, and initiatives in support of the College’s commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion. In addition, Heather partners with a wide range of other departments and offices on campus on diversity, equity, and inclusion strategies and initiatives. Heather joined the Allegheny faculty in 2015 and received tenure in 2021, becoming one of the first Black women to do so in the College’s history. As a faculty member, she has promoted inclusive excellence in teaching by creating new courses such as Black Meadville and Multicultural Education. She also served as the College’s inaugural Director of Faculty Diversity & Inclusion, chaired the Community & Justice Studies Department, and received the Thoburn Award for Excellence in Teaching in 2020. Heather is a proud native of Buffalo, New York, who earned a Ph.D. and M.A. in American Studies from Purdue University and two B.A.s in Education Studies and American Studies from Trinity College (Hartford, Connecticut). Her research explores the intersections of race, education, and Black identity. Her first solo-authored book focuses on the images of Black boys on television. In addition, Heather has published articles in journals including Radical Teacher, Professing Education, and Interdisciplinary Approaches to Cultural Diversity, along with several book chapters.

A member of the Allegheny Athletic Department since 1996, Bill Ross was named the Director of Athletics and Recreation in February 2019. He currently is helping to spearhead major capital athletic projects that include a renovation of the baseball field and the Athletic Hall of Fame area. Bill had served as the Interim Director of Athletics and Recreation since July 2018 and as the Associate Director of Athletics for facilities and recreation services from 2010 to 2018. He has been responsible for overseeing all of the recreation and intramural programs offered by Allegheny while also managing all Allegheny athletic facilities. He served as the Co-Chair of the North Coast Athletic Conference Sports Caucus, is a member of the NCAA Track & Field Rules Committee as well as the National Association of Athletic Directors, and leads the Athletic Department’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Action Committee. Prior to being named Associate Athletic Director, Bill was the Head Coach of the Gators’ cross country and track and field teams from 1996 to 2010, winning 31 NCAC Championships and earning the NCAC Coach of the Year Award 31 times.

As Vice President for Institutional Advancement, Matt Stinson leads a team of professionals in Advancement, Alumni Affairs, Annual Giving, Donor Relations, Foundation & Corporate Relations, Gift Planning, and Leadership Giving. He also leads the team and efforts for Career Education, utilizing the Gator alumni network’s power to assist our students. Finally, he empowers the College’s collaborative efforts for economic development and revitalization in Meadville. Matt has more than 25 years of progressive management experience in higher education, nonprofit, and business organizations. Most recently, as the Vice President for Institutional Advancement with Westminster College (PA), Matt provided leadership and revamped a program that is now recognized nationally for its work. Before joining Westminster College, Matt was with the University of Mount Union as Director of University Advancement. He began his second career in nonprofit fundraising while serving as the administrator for the Copeland Oaks Foundation. Before his work in nonprofit advancement, Matt spent over 10 years in the for-profit technology startup industry, helping to shape product releases and sales and marketing strategies for emerging technologies. He has experience with acquisitions and initial public offerings. Matt also helped launch the entrepreneurship program at the University of Mount Union, serving in administrative and lecturer roles.

He is a member of the Association of Fundraising Professionals, serving as a past board member of the Mahoning-Shenango chapter. He was previously a board member and president of the East Ohio United Methodist Foundation. He was a co-founder and board member of the Alliance Food Pantry in Alliance, Ohio. Matt earned his Master of Education from Westminster College and an MBA with a focus in entrepreneurship from Jones International University. He holds a Bachelor of Science in computer science from Mount Union College/University. He is currently pursuing a Ph.D. in organizational learning and leadership at Gannon University.

Linda Wetsell, who has worked at Allegheny College since 2000, was promoted to Chief Financial Officer and VP of Finance and Administration in 2020 after service as Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer, Associate Vice President for Finance, and the Director of Budget and Treasury Management Operations. She has over 35 years of progressive management experience in nonprofit administration and higher education. Prior to Allegheny, she served as the interim Director of Finance for UPMC-Horizon and Chief Financial Officer for D.T. Watson Rehabilitation Hospital. She graduated from Thiel College with a bachelor’s degree in accounting and business administration. In her role she leads financial services in matters of budget and finance, supervises the Offices of Financial Services, Sustainability, Physical Plant, Human Resources, Information Technology Services, Auxiliary Services, Retail Operations, and Conference and Event Services. She is the co-chair of the Finance and Facilities Committee and is involved with the Safety Committee. Linda is a recipient of the College’s Robert T. Sherman Distinguished Service Award.

An Allegheny alumna, Jenn joined the College in 2024 as the College’s chief enrollment officer leading the offices of Admissions, Financial Aid, and Marketing & Communications. Jenn has over 25 years of progressively responsible experience in higher education enrollment, financial aid, and communications. She brings with her expertise in optimized enrollment strategies, an inclusive recruitment process, and leveraging technology to benefit both recruitment and retention efforts. Jenn previously served as Vice President for Enrollment at The College of Wooster.

Jenn is an active member of various professional associations and advisory boards, including U.S. News & World Report Admissions Deans Advisory Group, the National Association for College Admission Counseling, and she most recently was appointed to the Common App’s inaugural Enrollment Leaders Advisory Committee. She is featured in the book, Brand Up: The Ultimate Playbook for College and Career Success in the Digital World, by Stacey Ross Cohen (April 2023).