Noble Mays '25 says a quiet voice of faith has guided her life and led her across Lynn University's Commencement stage. She graduated in May 2025 with a doctorate in education from the Donald E. and Helen L. Ross College of Education. Her husband, Tarry, is currently enrolled at Lynn in the master's in educational leadership program. Together, they are leading the expansion of Faith's Place Center for Arts Education (opens in new tab)—a private school where education, community and the arts unite to empower underserved youth.
Noble's call to action
Mays' journey was defined by three significant moments:
First, the tragic death of a young student who didn't have a safe place to go after school, ignited Mays to create an after-care program.
Second, Mays faced discrimination in her school choir class. Determined to make a difference, she earned a singing scholarship to attend college, completing a bachelor's degree in elementary education and psychology.
Third, Mays and her husband, Tarry, grew up as inner-city students, inspiring them to build a place where students can learn, grow and thrive. "We know the students' names. They are not numbers. Not money," said Mays. "They are a young version of Tarry and me. We chose to come back educated and to be the difference we wanted to see in our community."
We know the students' names. They are not numbers. Not money. They are a young version of Tarry and me. We chose to come back educated and to be the difference we wanted to see in our community.Noble Mays '25
Faith's Place: A family vision
Faith's Place helps students find their goals, work toward goals and ultimately lead successful professional and personal lives. The school offers a private education and a "soft place to land" for children who need guidance and advice. At the school, students are taught how to engage, be community members and build resilience.
Throughout Mays' journey, she received unwavering support from her husband, Tarry. With a background in operating charter schools, Tarry helped manage Faith's Place while Mays focused on her studies. "I could see her passion and just wanted to support my wife," said Tarry. "Her dream became my dream."
Launched in 2012, Faith's Place was named after their daughter, Faith Mays. In Fall 2025, the private school will expand to a new high-end 11,000-square-foot facility, nearly doubling its size from its original location. The private school will offer holistic programs, including preschool, a K-12 school of the arts, after-school arts and more. "Our mission is to create a strong village. To make sure students have the support team they need and can confide in beyond their parents," said Tarry. "A place rooted in faith, heart and passion."
Today, Faith's Place is thriving with both Noble and Tarry at the helm. Apart from the arts, the institution's staff is also providing students with critical thinking and life skills they can use in their everyday lives and beyond. They've also partnered with other nonprofit organizations to help break the cycle of poverty and pave the way to a brighter future for deserving students from low-income backgrounds by expanding students' access to higher education.
Our mission is to create a strong village. To make sure students have the support team they need and can confide in beyond their parents. A place rooted in faith, heart and passion.Tarry Mays '27
Central to their program is the "6 B's of good character." Values that they instill not only in their students but also in their children:
- Be trustworthy
- Be responsible
- Be respectful
- Be kind
- Be fair
- Be fit
The Mays' children Faith, Honour and Taj, have already started their entrepreneurial journeys, creating businesses, championing the arts and leading a life of honor.
For Mays, earning her doctorate at Lynn was not just an academic milestone but a symbol of what belief, family and purpose can achieve together in service to the community. Together, the Mays family continues building a legacy where every student feels seen, every child is empowered and every dream is within reach.
Noble's doctoral journey with the "Boss Ladies"
Joining Lynn right before the pandemic, Mays became part of the "Boss Ladies" cohort, a trailblazing group that pioneered live, online classes at the doctoral level. In a remarkable achievement, the majority of the cohort graduated together, a testament to their resilience and support for one another.
"My cohort are friends for life now. We encouraged each other because it gets tough," said Mays. "If it were easy to get a doctorate, everyone would have one. Only 18% do. It takes commitment."
Despite life challenges along the way to earning her doctorate degree, including health issues, Mays persevered graduating magna cum laude. In times of doubt, she leaned on her faith, family, faculty and her peers. They uplifted her every step of the way, encouraging her to aim for excellence, meet deadlines and cross the finish line.
Guided by her professors' personalized approach and mentorship, Mays shaped her doctoral dissertation by titling it, "Creative in the Arts: How Implementing the Arts Affects the Academic Achievement and Mental Health in Underserved Youths." The research thesis laid the new foundation for Faith's Place and also opened doors for additional grants to support students.
For more stories focused on alumni success, visit lynn.edu/alumni.
