Petrella joins Marshall from Kent State University, where she has served as dean of the College of the Arts since 2021. In this role, she oversaw all academic, fiscal, development, personnel and administrative operations for the college, which includes the School of Fashion Design and Merchandising, School of Art, School of Music, School of Theatre and Dance, Kent State Museum, and numerous regional and national arts programs.
As dean, she led a team of more than 190 faculty and staff serving approximately 2,500 students, managing an annual budget of $23 million within a Responsibility Centered Management (RCM) model.
Prior to her tenure at Kent State, Petrella served as dean and professor at the University of Missouri–Kansas City Conservatory from 2017 to 2021, after holding a variety of leadership and faculty roles there. Earlier in her career, she was a faculty member at Oakland University, the University of Wisconsin–Madison and the University of North Texas.
Petrella holds a Bachelor of Music from Eastern Illinois University, a Master of Music from the University of Wisconsin–Madison, a Doctor of Musical Arts (D.M.A.) from the University of North Texas and an Artist Diploma from Texas Christian University.
“Throughout her career, Dr. Petrella has demonstrated a strong commitment to academic excellence, student success and the arts as a vehicle for innovation and community engagement,” said Marshall University President Brad D. Smith. “Her leadership experience and collaborative spirit will be instrumental as Marshall continues to advance our academic mission and elevate our impact across the region and beyond.”
Petrella said she is honored to be joining the Marshall community.
“As a first-generation college graduate and lifelong advocate for public access to higher education, I look forward to working together to expand opportunity, elevate student success and strengthen Marshall’s role as a catalyst for transformation in our communities,” she said.
In the interim, Dr. Robert Bookwalter will continue serving as Marshall’s interim provost until June 30, 2026. He will assist in Petrella’s transition from Kent State and integration into the Marshall community.