Bio
Dr. Samose Mays is the Parks and Recreation Director of Bryan County Georgia. He manages North Bryan County Recreation and South Bryan County Recreation. Dr. Mays also travels the country and lectures on how to develop leadership and management skills. He is a member of NRPA (National Recreation and Park Association), NACPRO (National Association of County Parks and Recreation Officials), and GRPA (Georgia Recreation and Park Association) where he serves as commissioner of Georgia District 2. He is a Certified Parks and Recreation Professional (CPRP), Certified Youth Sports Administrator (CYSA), and Aquatics Facilities Operator (AFO). He is also a member of The National Society of Leadership and Success and The National Society of Collegiate Scholars.
The Story
Mays’ early attempts at higher education were not so successful. He dropped out after his sophomore year in 1998 and began work as a special education teacher’s aide in 2000. From there, he served as the athletic director at the local Boys and Girls Club before becoming a house parent at the Joseph's Home for Boys. Mays also started a nonprofit track and field organization that helped dozens of kids get into college (Sprint South). Mays re-enrolled at Georgia Southern University in 2009 and completed his bachelor’s degree in two years. Capitalizing on his momentum, he immediately entered the university’s online master’s program to pursue a degree in sports management.
In 2013, after earning his master’s degree, he thought briefly about starting his career due to lack of income and homelessness. For two years, Mays survived on the street, never letting on to family, friends or faculty members that he was homeless. Occasionally, he scraped together enough money from work or a student loan to afford a few weeks at an extended-stay hotel. Mays persevered and by 2014 landed a job as an athletic director at the South Bryan County Recreation. Today, Mays oversees the entire county recreational program for both North and South Bryan, which offers athletics, summer camps and leisure for youth and adults. His focus is on bringing new and innovative programs to everyone in the community.
The MRLA
Dr. Mays founded the MRLA to serve as a voice for minorities around the country looking to emerge as leaders. He wants to see minorities serving as directors, executives, supervisors, and managers. He feels that a diverse organizational pool will create diversity in participation. The MRLA will highlight leaders across the country under the guidance of Dr. Mays.
Education
He earned a Doctorate in Sports Management from Northcentral University in 2016, a Master’s of Science in Sports Management from Georgia Southern University in 2013 and a Bachelor's of Science in Recreation Management from Georgia Southern University in 2011.
