Macrina C. Lelei
Interim Director, African Studies Program (ASP)
Office: 4137 WWPH
Tel: 412-648-2058
E-mail: macrina@pitt.edu
Biography
Dr. M.C. Lelei is currently the Interim Director, African Studies Program, University Center for International Studies (UCIS), and Adjunct Assistant Professor, School of Education, University of Pittsburgh. She obtained her PhD from the University of Pittsburgh, School of Education, Department of Administrative and Policy Studies, with a concentration in International and Development Education. She teaches - Education in Africa, and Comparative and International Education as a part time faculty. She is also offering a new course in the spring "Education, culture and social transformation in East Africa"
Research Interests
Development of education in Africa, gender and education, improving educational opportunities for rural populations in East Africa & comparative education
Profile
Upon obtaining her bachelors degree (B. ED) from Kenyatta University in 1987 she taught high school in West Pokot until 1990 when she went to the University of Leeds in England to pursue advanced training in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL). She was a recipient of a World Bank Scholarship (1994) that enabled her to pursue a Master of library science education with a concentration on academic libraries and education in Africa. She received her M.LS from the University of Pittsburgh.
When she returned to Kenya she worked for for the British Council in Kenya (1996-1997) as outreach coordinator for a rural development program in Western Kenya. She travelled throughout western Kenya visiting rural schools and working with parents and teachers to improve educational opportunities for rural children. Dr. Lelei is passionate about education in Africa and particularly the education of girls and women because she believes that education is a major factor in the empowerment of women in African society. She is also an advocate for improved educational opportunities to fight poverty and promote rural development.
Refer to CV for more information.