Rose Mays is professor emeritus at the Indiana University School of Nursing at IUPUI. From 1973 until her recent retirement, she specialized in teaching pediatric nursing. For eight years, she served as the school's associate dean for community and international affairs and implemented a program of research and community service focused on health promotion and disease prevention for vulnerable adolescents.

Over the course of her career, Mays has demonstrated a sustained commitment to fostering diversity within her profession, her workplace and her community. Additionally, she serves on various boards and local service organizations. She earned her bachelor's degree in nursing from the University of Evansville and her master's degree in pediatric nursing from IU. Her doctorate in nursing science is from the University of Texas at Austin.