Trust God, be unattached to your particular outcome, and be independent of the good (and bad) opinion of others.
Dean Shirley Mays
On June 21st, Dean Shirley Mays will receive the Positively Powerful Woman Award for Educational Leadership at a gala luncheon at the Ritz-Carlton Phoenix. She will be one of seven Award recipients, all of whom are visionary leaders who make a significant impact on others and are successful in their chosen profession.
Phoenix School of Law Accomplishments: In August 2010, Dean Shirley Mays was selected as the Dean of Phoenix School of Law in Phoenix, AZ where she oversees all of the academic programs and departments of the law school. Here are a few of the many accomplishments made through her leadership:
- Phoenix School of Law has twice had the number one bar pass rate in the state
- An overall bar pass rate of 83%; and a 94% placement rate
- The National Law School Diversity Award from Law School Admissions Council in 2011 and 2012
- Currently, 42% student body diversity and 37% faculty diversity
- In 2012 PhoenixLaw was named one of Top 20 Most Innovative Law Schools in the country
- Received the architectural award for its state-of-the-art building in downtown Phoenix
- Dean Mays currently is spearheading major reform of the PhoenixLaw curriculum, one that will ensure Phoenix School of Law remains at the forefront of legal education
The Phoenix Law School Vision: Phoenix Law sets itself apart on the basis of its culture; a student-centered orientation, an educational experience that prepares students for the practice of law, service to underserved communities, and the faculty‘s accountability for market-leading student outcomes.
The Phoenix Law‘s Mission is based upon three primary pillars: 1) an educational experience that is student-centered; 2) outcome-driven programs and performances that yield professionally-prepared graduates; and 3) a commitment to serving underserved communities. These cornerstones reflect a sense that legacy and benchmark status is dependent upon the capacity to respond positively and effectively to change in the legal profession and the market for legal education.
Phoenix School of Law Graduating Class of 2009
Dean Shirley Mays’ journey has included Central State University where she graduated magna cum laude and earning her J.D. from Harvard University Law School. Prior to becoming Dean of the Phoenix School of Law, Dean Mays practiced with an international law firm representing municipalities and school districts in financing public projects, bonds, and notes, being the law clerk to The Honorable Thomas J. Moyer, the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of the State of Ohio; professor at Capital University Law School in Columbus, Ohio teaching Business Associations, Local Government Law, Land Use Law, Property, and Gender and the Law. She created and directed the Governmental Affairs Program, chaired the Faculty Appointments Committee, Minorities in the Law Committee, the Honor Code Committee, and numerous search committees. Dean Mays was an active member of the Columbus Bar Association, served as President of the Robert B. Elliott Law Club, and served on two American Bar Association site visit accreditation teams. Dean Mays was also visiting faculty member at both Ohio State University and University of Kentucky law schools.
Dean Mays is blessed to be a member of the Historic Tanner AME Church in Phoenix where she teaches adult church school and serves on the Christian Education Commission. She also serves on the Board of Governors and the Diversity and Inclusion Task Force of the Arizona State Bar Association. Dean Mays recently was inducted into the Central State University Alumni Achievement Hall of Fame. Dean Mays is raising her six-year-old grandson, Jordan, and is a proud member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., Jack and Jill, Inc., and Links, Inc.
Please join us as we honor this phenomenal woman leader. Click here for more information on the event. Return to this website to get to know the other Positively Powerful Award recipients. The Awards luncheon will be followed by The Conversation On Leadership Summit, with a panel discussion, Q & A with the Award recipients, key note speaker, authors and other opportunities for your personal and professional growth and connections. The event is open to the public. Men, women and families are welcomed.
