Dr. Mays Imad's academic journey began at the University of Michigan–Dearborn, where she pursued philosophy and minored in chemistry. She earned a doctoral degree in cellular & clinical neurobiology, with a minor in biomedical sciences, from Wayne State University School of Medicine in Detroit. After a postdoctoral fellowship at the University of Arizona's Department of Neuroscience, she joined Pima Community College (PCC), as an adjunct faculty member from 2008 until 2013 and as a full time faculty member from 2013 until 2021 teaching a variety of biology-related subjects. During her time at PCC, she founded their Teaching and Learning Center (TLC).

Currently an associate professor at Connecticut College, Dr. Imad is interested in understanding the social determinants of student wellbeing and success and conducts research on equity pedagogy. She recently co-authored the Norton's Guide to Equity-Minded Teaching. Since the pandemic, Mays has facilitated over 150 workshops and keynotes on trauma-informed teaching and learning and published a variety of articles about trauma-informed practices within higher education. Mays's work reflects a deep commitment to equity and justice in and through education. With fervor, she advocates for institutions to pay close attention to intergenerational trauma and cultivate spaces for intergenerational healing and resilience. Mays is a Gardner Institute Fellow, AAC&U Senior STEM Fellow, and Mind and Life Institute Fellow.