Joseph Scarcella
Contact
Bio
Dr. Joe Scarcella holds a Doctor of Philosophy in Education from the University of Missouri Columbia and serves as Professor and Department Chair of Educational Leadership and Technology at California State University San Bernardino. With more than 30 years of experience in higher education including 28 years at CSUSB, his career has been defined by leadership in educational innovation, career and technical education, workforce development, and applied learning.
Prior to joining CSUSB, Dr. Scarcella served as Assistant Professor at Southeast Missouri State University. Over the course of his academic career, he has coordinated graduate programs, led curriculum development and accreditation efforts, and served in key leadership roles including Assistant Dean. His work has consistently focused on bridging theory and practice, preparing educators and leaders for real world impact.
Dr. Scarcella is a recipient of the prestigious Epsilon Pi Tau Honorary Award for Excellence in Technology and Education and has served on the Board of Directors for both the Association for Career and Technical Education and the International Technology and Engineering Educators Association. He has authored more than 50 scholarly publications and delivered hundreds of presentations at regional, national, and international conferences. His work has attracted significant grant funding in support of innovative educational programs and research initiatives.
A recognized contributor to educational quality and accountability, Dr. Scarcella has served on numerous regional, state, and national accreditation committees, advancing standards of excellence across academic programs.
In addition to his academic career, Dr. Scarcella maintains an active presence in aviation. He is a Gold Seal Certified Flight Instructor in both Glider and Airplane Single Engine Land, an FAA Designated Pilot Examiner, and a columnist for Soaring, the journal of the Soaring Society of America. In his role as a Designated Pilot Examiner, he evaluates and mentors pilots and instructors, contributing to the development of the next generation of aviators. He also works closely with flight instructors, flight schools, and aviation academies throughout the region, supporting instructional quality, standardization, and professional development within the aviation training community.
Dr. Scarcella is also a former United States Naval Officer who served honorably at the rank of Lieutenant following aviation indoctrination training in Pensacola and subsequent Surface Warfare qualification. His professional journey reflects a unique integration of education, aviation, leadership, and service.
Education
Ph.D., Education, University of Missouri Columbia, 1997
Specialization in Industrial and Technical Studies with emphasis in Career and Technical Education and Applied Technology Systems
M.A., Industrial and Technical Studies with emphasis in Technical Education and Applied Technology Systems, San Diego State University, 1992
B.A., Industrial Studies with emphasis in Technology, Systems, and Transportation, San Diego State University, 1985
Minor in Military Science
A.S., Aeronautics, Grossmont College, 1985
Two associate degrees with emphasis in Flight Operations and Operations Management
Professional Certification
Missouri Vocational Teacher Certification, State of Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, 1996
Federal Aviation Administration Certifications and Designation
Designated Pilot Examiner, Airplane Single Engine Land and Glider, 2017 - Present
Gold Seal Certified Flight Instructor, Airplane Single Engine Land and Glider
Remote Pilot Certificate, Unmanned Aircraft Systems
Military Training and Professional Development
United States Navy, Student Naval Aviator, Aviation Indoctrination, Naval Air Station Pensacola, Florida, 1986
Surface Warfare Officer School, Naval Amphibious Base Coronado, California, 1987
Naval Training Command Specialty Schools, San Diego, California, 1988
Additional Certifications
National Association of Underwater Instructors, Open Water Scuba Diver, 1986
Professional Association of Diving Instructors, Open Water Scuba Diver, 1986
Courses/Teaching
His teaching portfolio encompasses a broad range of courses, including foundations of education, history and philosophy of education, instructional methods, research design, curriculum and instruction, and aviation education. Prior to joining California State University San Bernardino, he also taught numerous applied technology courses, reflecting his strong foundation in technical and workforce oriented education. In addition to his university teaching, he provides airplane and glider flight instruction, integrating principles of learning, performance, and safety into applied aviation training.
Throughout much of his career, he has served as Coordinator of Career and Technical Education, providing leadership in curriculum development, instructional quality, program design, and accreditation. His work has emphasized aligning academic programs with industry standards, strengthening workforce pathways, and advancing competency-based education across both traditional and applied learning environments.
Specialization
EXPERIENCE:
CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY, SAN BERNARDINO, San Bernardino, California. (1998-present). Chair, Educational Leadership and Technology Department and formally Assistant Dean, California State University, San Bernardino Palm Desert Campus, Professor of Education, Master’s Degree Program Coordinator, responsible for teaching Career and Technical teacher education courses, student advisement, recruiting, and conducting research.
DESIGNATED PILOT EXAMINER (DPE), FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINSTRATION (FAA), Riverside, California. (2017-present). Serve as the pilot examiner for glider and airplane single engine land.
SOCAL SOARING ACADEMY, Crystal Airport (46CN), Llano, California (Present). Serve as glider instructor private, commercial, instructor.
CYPRESS SOARING, Hemet Municipal Airport (HMT), Hemet, California (Present). Serve as glider instructor private, commercial, instructor.
FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR, JOE SCARCELLA AVIATION, Redlands Municipal Airport (REI), Redlands, California. (Present). Conduct flight training at Redlands Airport. http://joescarcellaavation.com.
VOLUNTEER PILOT, SAN BERNARDINO SHERIFF AVIATION UNIT, San Bernardino, California, (10 years 8 months).
AVIATION SEMINARS, San Diego, California. (2016-present). Instructor and Airman Certification Representative. Contract and consultation - teach private, commercial, instrument courses and process airman instructor certificates.
SOUTHERN ILLINOIS UNIVERSITY, WORKFORCE EDUCATION DEVELOPMENT, Carbondale, Illinois. (2000-present). Contract and consultation - adjunct faculty teaching foundations, assessment, and other related courses.
SOUTHEAST MISSOURI STATE UNIVERSITY, Cape Girardeau, Missouri. (1996-1998). Assistant Professor of Industrial and Engineering Technology, responsible for teaching Technology, Industrial, and Vocational-Technical teacher education courses, technical computer graphic courses, student advisement, recruiting, and conducting research related to technology and industry.
TECHNOLOGY AND INDUSTRY EDUCATION; UNIVERSITY OF MISSOURI - COLUMBIA, Columbia, Missouri. (1993-1996). Graduate Research Assistant/Graduate Teaching Assistant/Instructor, responsible for assisting in departmental recruiting, student advisement, program club advisor, research, and teaching activities.
ROCK BRIDGE HIGH SCHOOL; Columbia, Missouri. (1995). Instructor instructed a practical course in industrial technology. Curriculum focused on student career awareness and employability skills related to employment.
BUILDING PRODUCTS ASSOCIATES, San Diego, CA. (1992-1993). Sales Representative, responsible for meeting the demands of corporate accounts through customer service, cost estimating, and materials bidding.
EXPO INDUSTRIES/EXPO BUILDERS SUPPLY, San Diego, CA. (1989-1992). Division Manager, responsible for cost estimating, employee staffing, profit and loss, manufacturing operations, production, customer service, etc.
AERIAL PHOTOGRAPHY, Hobby and Home Part-Time Business. San Diego, CA. (1992-1993).
MILITARY, UNITED STATES NAVY, January 1986-July 1990. Naval Officer, Honorably Discharged at the rank of Lieutenant [Student Pilot Aviator, Surface Warfare].
CONSTRUCTION (Lath, Plaster Drywall), San Diego, CA. (1978-1985-Father's Business).
MEMBERSHIPS AND AFFILIATIONS (PAST AND PRESENT):
Phi Delta Kappa (The Professional Fraternity of Education); Association for Career and Technical Education; Missouri Vocational Association; International Technology and Engineering Education Association; National Association of Industrial Technology; National Association of Industrial and Technical Teacher Educators, Cypress Soaring, Soaring Society of America, Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association, National Association of Flight Instructors.
Research and Teaching Interests
Most Recent Presentations/Publications 2024-2025
Presentations
Soaring Society of America, (October 2024), Federal Airspace Refresher, Nashville, Tennessee.
Soaring Society of America, (October 2024), DPE Open Forum - How to Minimize Check Ride Stress, Nashville, Tennessee.
Soaring Society of America, (February 2022), Federal Airspace Refresher, Reno, Nevada.
Publications
Under Review. Scarcella, J. (2025). Expanding the Boundaries of Scholarship: Flight Instruction and Boyer's Call for Application. The Journal of Critical Issues in Education.
Under Review. Scarcella, J. (2025). The Scholarship of Application: Bridging Knowledge and Practice. The Journal of Critical Issues in Education.
Under Review. Scarcella, J. (2025). Perspective-Resurrecting the Hands-On Classroom: Why Practical Arts Education Still Matters. The Journal of Critical Issues in Education.
Scarcella, J. (2026). Learning to fly again. Soaring: The Journal of the Soaring Society of America, 90(3), 38–39.
Scarcella, J. (2026). From air commerce to the FAA. Soaring: The Journal of the Soaring Society of America, 90(2), 34–35.
Scarcella, J. (2026). Does flying ever become old hat? Soaring: The Journal of the Soaring Society of America, 90(2), 48–49.
Scarcella, J. (2025). The forgotten control: Understanding the rudder in glider aerodynamics. Soaring: The Journal of the Soaring Society of America, 89(12), 14–15.
Scarcella, J. (2025). Teaching and learning in both directions. Soaring: The Journal of the Soaring Society of America, 89(11), 32–33.
Scarcella, J. (2025). Assessing soaring skills: Using evaluation to drive student improvement. Soaring: The Journal of the Soaring Society of America, 89(10), 38–39.
Scarcella, J. (2025). Chasing the invisible: Teaching students to read the sky. Soaring: The Journal of the Soaring Society of America, 89(9), 28–29, 32.
Scarcella, J. (2025). Teaching like a thermal: What soaring can teach us about learning. Soaring: The Journal of the Soaring Society of America, 89(8), 44–46.
Scarcella, J. (2025). Who’s the best pilot I ever saw? Soaring: The Journal of the Soaring Society of America, 89(7), 39–41.
Scarcella, J. (2025). Flight instructor vs. designated pilot examiner. Soaring: The Journal of the Soaring Society of America, 89(6), 36–37.
Scarcella, J. (2025). Soaring higher: Advancing pilot proficiency through competency-based education and Bloom’s taxonomy. Soaring: The Journal of the Soaring Society of America, 89(5), 32–35.
Scarcella, J. (2025). Flight instruction and student success. Soaring: The Journal of the Soaring Society of America, 89(4), 41–42.