The Provost’s office provides vision and direction for the academic program of the College, advances the teaching and research goals of the College’s faculty, and supports ongoing professional development within a diversifying and inclusive culture.
Jennifer Dearden
Interim Provost and Dean of the Faculty
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 has co-led Allegheny’s re-accreditation process with the Middle States Commission on Higher Education, holds leadership roles in the FS Program and academic advising, and serves 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.
Peter Bradley
Associate Provost for Institutional Effectiveness, Strategic Planning, and Assessment
Peter Bradley joined Allegheny College in the Spring of 2023. He previously served as Director of the Honors Program at Ferris State University in Michigan, a program of about 750 students with 23 affiliated faculty. During that time he served as an approved Program Reviewer for the National Collegiate Honors Council, and was a member of the Professional Development and Assessment and Evaluation committees. Prior to his appointment at Ferris, he was Associate Professor of Philosophy at McDaniel College, another college that ‘Changes Lives’ like Allegheny, and Director of the First Year Seminar. In fact, he graduated from another ‘College that Changes Lives,’ Antioch College, in 1996. At Antioch, he used his many co-op and work-study positions to learn UNIX system administration and website creation, and served as Antioch’s first webmaster. Those experiences lead to an early career as a systems administrator in the mid-90’s dot com boom, and eventually to his academic interests in Philosophy of Mind and Cognitive Science.
Rachel Weir
Interim Associate Provost
Rachel Weir became the interim Associate Provost in 2024 after serving as Director of Faculty Development (DFD) since 2021. As DFD, she was a member of the Advising Leadership Team, the FS/SWS Leadership Team, the Canvas Team, and the Academic Support Committee (ex-officio). Most recently, Rachel worked with Dean of the Library Tressa Snyder to develop the new Center for Faculty Research and Teaching Excellence. Rachel is a Professor of Mathematics, having joined Allegheny College in 2004. Rachel chaired the Mathematics department from 2019 to 2021 and previously chaired Faculty Council and the Curriculum Committee and served on the Finance and Facilities Committee. Rachel has a PhD in Mathematics from the University of Michigan and a BSc (Hons) from the University of Auckland, New Zealand. Rachel’s mathematical research focuses on complex analysis and function-theoretic operator theory. She is also a workshop facilitator, speaker, author, and consultant on inquiry-based learning in mathematics and alternative grading methods.
Byron Rich
Assistant Provost of Academic Innovation
Byron joined the Provost’s office in 2023 after having served in Institutional Advancement since 2021 and the Art Department since 2014. His work is focused on designing and implementing emerging strategic academic initiatives and economic development efforts. As an accomplished artist and scholar, his work exploring speculative design, biology futures, and tactical media has been widely shown and spoken about internationally in some of the world’s most prestigious art and design venues. Byron’s work is often featured in books and journals, and his writing can be found in numerous publications, including the recently released book Synthetic Becoming, edited by Lenka Vesela. He pursued a degree in new media at The University of Calgary before relocating to Buffalo, New York, where he obtained an MFA in Emerging Practices at The University at Buffalo. He was the runner-up for the 2016 BioArt & Design Award, and the recipient of an Honorary Mention at the 2017 Prix Ars Electronica. Byron is the Vice President of the Crawford County Historical Society, and on the board of directors for the NWPA NTMA.
Allison Mattis
Assistant to the Provost and Dean of the Faculty
Allison joined the Provost’s Office in 2024 after serving as the office manager of the Maytum Center for Student Success. She has been active on various campus committees including the Gator Success Grant Committee, the Shared Governance Working Group and the Staff Advisory Committee. Allison earned a BA in Vocal Performance from the State University of New York, Fredonia, and continues her engagement with music by participating in Allegheny’s Soprano-Alto Ensemble, leading the singing of the National Anthem at our men’s and women’s basketball games, and performing at various community and social events.