Stephanie Dean – Award of Honor
Stephanie was born and raised in Rome by her parents, Steve and Faith Dennis. She is a Rome High School alum who went on to receive her bachelor’s degree in education from Jackson State University, where she attended on a soccer scholarship, serving as captain of her soccer team. Stephanie received her master’s degree in educational leadership from Columbus State University. Stephanie is the Co-Founder & CEO of Mike Dean Athletics (MDA). Stephanie and her husband, Mike Dean, serve about 400 student athletes within our community and surrounding communities at their gym, MDA Sports Academy located here in Rome. Stephanie feels extremely blessed to be able to say that she is the mother of MJ and Andre Dean, who are both national basketball players, lovers of God, humble servants of others, and caring human beings.
Prior to starting MDA, Stephanie worked in Rome City Schools for twelve years. She is the former Assistant Principal at Main Elementary where she made her mark raising student achievement, improving teacher retention, streamlining budgets, and decreasing student disciplinary issues. She was named the Rome City Schools District Teacher of the Year in 2019 and West Central Elementary’s Teacher of the Year in 2018. Stephanie also served as a Rome City Schools professional development instructor and facilitator for several years.
• New and Living Way Church – Served for 13 years as the Director of Youth
• Hospitality House – Volunteer
• Good Neighbor Ministries – Volunteer
• The Boys and Girls Club – Volunteer
• Floyd County Teen Plus Center – Volunteer
• Bloodline Believers/REACH Ministries – Volunteer
• United Way – Volunteer
• Backpack Buddies – Volunteer
• Murphy Harpst – Volunteer
• Habitat for Humanity – Volunteer
• ESP, Extra Special People – Volunteer
• Restoration Rome – Volunteer
• Keep Rome Beautiful – Volunteer
• Youth College and Career Expo – Volunteer
• Soles Desire Shoe Drive – MDA collects new and gently worn shoes to donate to those in need within the community and surrounding communities.
• MDA Thanksgiving Community Feast – Families within our community sign up to receive a hot meal on Thanksgiving Day. MDA families join together to serve in love.
• Winter School Daze – Organizes a winter school supply drive to support students with needed mid-year supplies
• Blessing Bags- MDA families collect toiletry items and compile them in bags for those in need.
• Luv Michael- MDA partners with Luv Michael to raise funds and awareness for adults with Autism.
• MDA Eats Fund- Provides groceries and food for MDA athletes during the summer and school breaks
• Open Gym Nights- MDA offers a safe place for kids to hang out, hone their skills, and be around positive, forward-thinking coaches and adults.
• Georgia Milestones Bootcamp- Prepares MDA student athletes for their annual state standardized test by offering free tutoring services.
• MDA Scholarship Fund- Supports many student athletes do not have the funds to play travel sports, but they have the talent. The Fund also helps support former MDA players who attend college.