Somerset, KY– Somerset Community College (SCC) is pleased to announce the appointment of Dr. Ron Meade as the College’s new Provost, effective January 6, 2026. Dr. Meade’s selection follows a competitive interview process with several highly qualified applicants. He will continue serving as interim provost and as Health Sciences Dean until an interim dean is named.
A respected educator and licensed physical therapist, Dr. Meade brings more than two decades of experience in higher education and healthcare leadership. A proud Somerset Community College alumnus, he holds degrees in marketing, health science, and physical therapy from the University of Kentucky, along with a doctorate from Shenandoah University.
Throughout his career, Dr. Meade has made significant contributions to the profession of physical therapy education. He successfully led SCC’s Physical Therapist Assistant program to become a model of excellence recognized across the region and nationwide. His achievements include the David A. Pariser Award (2021), recognizing the top physical therapy educator in Kentucky; the New Horizons Award (2014) from the Kentucky Community & Technical College System; and the F.A. Davis Award (2021), honoring him as the top physical therapy educator in the United States by the American Physical Therapy Association.
Beyond his academic accomplishments, Dr. Meade serves the community through leadership roles on the Board of Trustees for Lake Cumberland Regional Hospital and the Board of Directors for the Southern Kentucky Area Health Education Center. As SCC’s Dean of Health Sciences, he has overseen the expansion of twelve healthcare programs and helped launch several new initiatives to meet the region’s workforce demands.
Dr. Meade is also committed to service outside the classroom, contributing to various charitable causes. In his personal time, he enjoys hiking throughout Kentucky, traveling, and renovating his historic 1800s home.
“SCC’s next Provost needed to be someone deeply committed to academic excellence and exceptional student support, and Dr. Meade was the clear choice,” said SCC President and CEO Dr. Carey Castle. “He distinguished himself among many excellent candidates. I look forward to working alongside him as he leads our academic and student affairs divisions to the next level.”
SCC remains committed to providing high-quality education and preparing students for successful careers. Dr. Meade’s leadership will further enhance SCC’s mission and elevate academic and student support services across the college.
“As a first-generation college student, my life was transformed at Somerset Community College. It is an incredible honor to step into the role of Provost and help guide the institution that shaped my own journey. As we continue to grow, my focus will be on strengthening SCC as a regional and national model of excellence in everything we pursue,” Dr. Meade said. “Most importantly, I am committed to ensuring our students receive the support they need to succeed, while also equipping our faculty and staff with the resources and tools necessary to meet the needs of our learners and our communities.”
