If you could meet yourself, come face-to-face with the person you truly are, would you want to?

This is the question Samuel L. Jones asks himself in "The Man I Never Knew: How Leadership Can Be Developed by Faith, Family, and Friends." A native of the Mississippi Delta and former college athlete, Dr. Jones earned a bachelor's and master's degree from the University of Southern Mississippi and earned a PhD from Mississippi State University. He eventually became the dean of student affairs at Jones County Junior College. However, he realizes all too well that his life could have taken a different path, one of failure and hopelessness.

In exploring the influences and opportunities that prepared him for a position of leadership, Dr. Jones inspires us to examine our own experiences and discover the leadership skills that are hidden within each of us.

About the Author

Samuel L. Jones received his doctorate in community college leadership from Mississippi State University in 2006. He also has a bachelor's degree in advertising (1997) and a master's degree in public relations (2002) from the University of Southern Mississippi. He is currently the dean of student affairs at Jones County Junior College in Ellisville, Mississippi.

Jones has held several campus positions prior to becoming the dean of student affairs. He served as the assistant basketball coach from 1999 to 2003, student recruiter from 1999 to 2006, and assistant dean from 2003 to 2006. Having spent ten years developing his leadership skills in athletics and the administration forum, he is committed to being a trailblazer in the lives of his students and his community.