“Marjorie’s intelligence, keen wit, and steadfast dedication to building a better world through education serves as a model for all young women. It is an honor for us to celebrate her legacy through this scholarship for deserving Afghan women.”
Leslie M. Schweitzer, Chair, Friends of The American University of Afghanistan and Trustee, The American University of Afghanistan
To honor her memory, The American University of Afghanistan has established the Dr. Marjorie Peace Lenn Scholarship Fund. This fund will support women students at The American University of Afghanistan who strive to shape the future of Afghanistan. It is our hope that this fund will serve as a lasting tribute to Dr. Lenn’s contribution to higher education throughout the world.
Marjorie Peace Lenn
January 17, 1946 – October 16, 2010
Dr. Marjorie Peace Lenn, 64, founding President of the Center for Quality Assurance in International Education and leader of the global quality assurance movement in higher education, died October 16, 2010 at home in Alexandria, VA after a long battle with cancer.
Born in Bowling Green, Ohio January 17, 1946, Dr. Lenn worked with governments, ministries of education, colleges and universities in 37 countries to develop and improve their national quality assurance (accreditation) systems to ensure their full participation in the increasingly global network of higher education institutions.
Dr. Lenn committed three decades to domestic and international quality assurance, beginning with the New England Association of Schools and Colleges; Vice President of the Council on Postsecondary Accreditation in Washington D.C.; and since 1991, the international dimensions of quality assurance as President of the Center. She served on multiple domestic and international boards including the International Network of Quality Assurance Agencies in Higher Education (INQAAHE) since its founding in 1991.
Dr. Lenn had a long history working with key intergovernmental organizations in the area of quality assurance including The World Bank, UNESCO, OECD, Organization of American States, United Nations Development Program, and the Asia Development Bank.
She served as the official advisor to the U.S. government on trade in education services as member of the International Trade Advisory Commission. The Center under her leadership sponsored 16 conferences on Professional Accreditation and Certification in partnership with ministries of education and trade in host countries.
Dr. Lenn’s legacy in accreditation infrastructure development and enhancement is notable in Asia, Europe, the Americas, and the Middle East. Additionally, she served as a board member of the American University of Afghanistan, where she committed herself to advising and leading the University to international accreditation, and advocated for higher levels of female student enrollment.
She began her career in higher education in student affairs as an assistant area director of residential life at University of Massachusetts, Amherst. Her 12 years at the University culminated in her being named Director of Residential Life with responsibility for housing 11,000 students in 52 dormitories with a staff of 425.
She received her B.A. from Transylvania University in 1968; M.A.R. from Yale University in 1970; and an M.Ed. and Ed.D. from University of Massachusetts, Amherst.
Survivors include her husband of 40 years, Dr. D. Jeffrey Lenn; a daughter, Rebecca Peace Lenn; and three brothers, Bob, Fred, and Tom Peace.
