Provost Emeritus

Joseph P. Scartelli is highly regarded for his lengthy tenure at Radford University and significant impact on the Department of Music, the College of Visual and Performing Arts (CVPA) and the Office of the Provost. He is beloved in the New River Valley and beyond for his active involvement and dedicated engagement on local and regional boards of directors for a variety of volunteer, professional and service organizations.

Scartelli received his undergraduate degree in music education from Mansfield University, a Master of Music in Music Therapy degree and a Ph.D. in music education/therapy from the University of Miami. He has worked as an instrumental music teacher at public schools in Pennsylvania and Florida and as a music therapist helping children and adults with cerebral palsy, social maladjustment and developmental delays. Prior to his work at Radford, Scartelli was director of the music therapy program at the University of Miami.

From 1981-89, Scartelli held the position of program director of music therapy at Radford University. In 1988, he began serving as the dean of CVPA and professor of music. From 2009-11, Scartelli served as interim provost and vice president for Academic Affairs before returning as the dean of CVPA in July 2011. He served an additional term as interim provost and vice president for Academic Affairs from January to June of 2020. 

In recognition of his accomplished career and selfless service, the Radford University Board of Visitors bestowed upon him the honor and title of provost emeritus. 

In addition to numerous scholarly publications, presentations, and workshops, Scartelli was a member of the editorial board of The Arts in Psychotherapy and served a 10-year term on the editorial board of the Journal of Music Therapy. He was the recipient of a Virginia Board of Education Resolution of Recognition for his work with the Radford University Summer Arts Conservatory, the American Music Therapy Association National Award of Merit, two Distinguished Alumni awards from Mansfield University, the Radford Chamber of Commerce Educator of the Year Award, as well as a variety of Who’s Who recognitions. He is a member of Pi Kappa Lambda and Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia music honors societies.

Scartelli has been a professional musician in orchestras, show and jazz bands and has regularly performed as a bassist with Radford University’s Faculty Jazz Quartet.

Kenna M. Colley received the honored designation of provost emeritus and professor emeritus upon her retirement from Radford University. This lifetime appointment was bestowed upon Colley for her stellar leadership roles throughout a 24-year career at Radford University.

Colley joined the Radford University community in 1996 and served as grant director, faculty, program area leader, Director of the School of Teacher Education and Leadership, dean of the College of Education and Human Development and interim provost and vice president for Academic Affairs. Under her leadership, Colley assisted in expanding Radford’s academic offerings and programs and strengthened its accreditation footprint.  

As chief academic officer, Colley played a key role in the merger of Jefferson College of Health Sciences with Radford University and helped establish the Doctor of Education degree program. She devoted significant resources to developing new spaces and opportunities for students, including the Venture Lab and Military Resource Center, helped build cybersecurity camps for K-12 students and expanded opportunities for academics and research. Colley worked to diversify staff and leadership roles and to develop a more inclusive environment, including revisions to academic policies that enhanced the student experience.

Colley served as principal investigator for many federal and state grants, totaling over $33 million. Many of the grants provided community outreach to Southwest Virginia, as well as programs and services that benefited university students and faculty.

“As I reflect on our time working together, I especially valued collaborating with Dr. Colley to support transfer students,” said Kitty McCarthy, former Radford University vice president for Enrollment Management. “Whether considering opportunities for one student or university-wide approaches, such as Transfer VA, Dr. Colley was a wonderful advocate for students and the many contributions they make to academic and student life at Radford. Whatever program, service or idea Dr. Colley and I discussed, her perspective was based on student success. It was at the center of all of our conversations and always served as a reminder of why we do the work we do.”

“I would like to personally congratulate Dr. Colley on her retirement from Radford University as provost emeritus and professor,” said Irvin Clark, former associate vice president of Student Affairs at Radford. “I enjoyed working with her during our time at Radford, and I consider her not only a major contributor to Radford University’s success but also an inspirer for all to emulate. Her hard work and diligence greatly benefited Radford University, and I hope that all administrators, faculty, staff and students will continue to follow her stellar example of ‘going beyond the call of duty’ combined with her total love for Radford University. Dr. Colley’s contributions to our overall mission and daily operations of Radford University have been sorely missed. I truly appreciated our time working together. She is a living example of a servant leader with a heart of pure gold.”

Colley received a Bachelor of Science from the State University of New York at Geneseo, a Master of Science from Johns Hopkins University and an Ed.D. from Virginia Tech in Educational Leadership.