Nathaniel Mays, Ph.D., is the Dean of Student Life and Academic Development at Lesley University. Prior to joining Lesley in the summer of 2004, Dean Mays served in several Student Affairs positions at Brandeis University: he was Protestant Chaplain from 1989-2002, the Director of the Intercultural Center from 1992-2002, the Assistant Dean of Student Affairs from 1995-1999, and the Assistant Dean of Student Life and Coordinator of Diversity Services from 1999-2004. Dean Mays has a B.A. in Religion and Philosophy from Bishop College, Dallas, Texas, a Masters of Divinity and an M.A. in Religious Education from the Andover Newton Theological School, Newton Centre, Massachusetts, and a Ph.D. in Social Foundations of Education from the University of Connecticut. Dean Mays’ research employs W.E.B. DuBois’ use of the theory of double consciousness and Erving Goffman’s work on communication interactions.  Combined, the focus on perception and the meaning that is found in face to face interactions keep Dean Mays researching matters that deal with building community on college and university campuses, the impact of religion on higher education in the U.S., curricular and co-curricular partnerships, and the meaning of diversity in American higher education. His dissertation, “Muslim Students at an American University: A Postmodern Ethnography in the New Millennium,” was on the experience of Muslim students in American higher education. Dean Mays is on the advisory board of the Institute for Body, Mind and Spirituality at Lesley University.