NBEA Welcomes Dr. Tom Mays as 2026–2027 President
The National Business Education Association (NBEA) is pleased to announce that Dr. Tom Mays officially
assumed the office of President on July 1, 2026, beginning his one-year term leading the nation's oldest professional association dedicated to business education.
Dr. Mays serves as Chair of the Department of Commerce at Miami University Regional Campuses, where he has established a reputation as an innovative educator, researcher, and academic leader. Throughout his career, he has focused on preparing students for success in today's digital economy through instruction in digital commerce, artificial intelligence, innovation, business analytics, and marketing while helping faculty adopt effective teaching practices for both online and face-to-face learning.
A longtime advocate for business education, Dr. Mays has been actively involved with NBEA and its affiliates for more than a decade. He currently serves as Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of Research in Business Education, where he has led significant modernization efforts, including migrating the journal to an open online platform, expanding its visibility through Google Scholar indexing, and increasing its scholarly impact. He has also served as Chair of the Council for Business Teaching and Research, Director representing the North Central Business Education Association on the NBEA Board, Interim Chair of the North Central Business Education Association, and previously as President of the Ohio Business Educators Association.
Before entering higher education, Dr. Mays spent more than two decades as the owner of a commu
nications and digital marketing firm, working with businesses and nonprofit organizations in web development, marketing strategy, e-commerce, and event production. That professional experience continues to shape his practical, real-world approach to teaching and leadership.
His scholarship has explored online learning, academic integrity, digital literacy, artificial intelligence, instructional technology, and student engagement. He has authored numerous peer-reviewed articles, book chapters, and conference presentations, earning national recognition for both his research and classroom excellence. In 2024, NBEA honored Dr. Mays as its Collegiate/University Teacher of the Year, recognizing his outstanding contributions to business education.
Dr. Mays holds a Ph.D. in Educational Leadership and Administration from the University of Dayton, along with master's degrees in Business Administration and Social and Applied Economics from Wright State University and a bachelor's degree in Communication from Ohio University.
As President, Dr. Mays will work with the NBEA Board of Directors, staff, and members to a
dvance the Association's mission of supporting excellence in business education through professional development, research, advocacy, and collaboration. His blend of classroom experience, scholarly leadership, technological expertise, and organizational service positions him well to guide NBEA as business education continues to evolve in an era increasingly shaped by artificial intelligence and digital innovation.
"Tom Mays has a real vision for business education and has the capacity to put plans into action," said NBEA Executive Director Joe McClary. "His contributions to the NBEA community have been substantial. Tom brings the rare combination of strategic thinking, practical experience, and a genuine commitment to serving business educators. I look forward to working alongside him as we continue building an even stronger future
for the Association."
NBEA congratulates Dr. Mays on assuming the presidency and looks forward to the leadership, innovation, and vision he will bring during the 2026–2027 year.