Heather Moore Roberson

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.