He is a renowned Volga German scholar with numerous books and articles to his credit. He speaks world-wide on topics relating to Volga German history and culture.  In 2004, he founded the Center for Volga German Studies at Concordia University – Portland (Oregon) and served as its first director.  Once at Fairfield, he established the Volga German Institute which continues to document the cultural manifestations of the German-speaking minority that lived along the Volga River in Russia from 1764 to 1941. For almost a decade, he served on the Board of Directors of the American Historical Society of Germans from Russia. 

 

As a librarian, Dr. Mai has written extensively and spoken world-wide on the topics of reference and instruction the electronic information age and the professional role of subject-specific librarians in academic, corporate, and non-profit institutions and organizations.  He has served on a number of national and international editorial and advisory boards in the information production and distribution industries. He has served for six years on the Board of Directors of the Special Libraries Association, and served as its president in 2012.

 

Dr. Mai holds degrees from Bethany College (Kansas), George Washington University, The University of Texas at Austin, and Vanderbilt University.