When Dr. Stephanie Pace Marshall, PhD, moved to King-Bruwaert (K-B) House senior living community in Burr Ridge/Hinsdale in May 2024, she did not arrive in order to slow down. At 80, she remains deeply engaged in the world, serving on boards of directors, accepting speaking invitations, and completing her third book. Retirement was never part of her plan.
Freedom was.
Marshall was one of the first residents to move into The Gardens, the new independent living apartments that anchor the major expansion at K-B House. While she had not intended to leave her home in the Savoy Club in Burr Ridge, she reached a clear conclusion as the K-B project progressed.
“I did not want to be encumbered by what is required to maintain a large home,” she said. “I wanted to be less burdened and able to do what I wanted. And a critical part of what I want to be doing, is continuing my work.”
Because she committed to the move early on in the construction, Marshall was able to fully customize her new home. Two apartments were combined into a single residence designed to reflect both her lifestyle and her work. She selected every detail, from colors and finishes to features.
“It is almost a replica of my home,” she said. “I have a writing room, a library, a master suite, a second suite, a laundry room, and plenty of space. I love it.”
An Educational Visionary
Marshall is widely recognized as an educational visionary and thought leader whose work has shaped learning on a national and global scale. She earned a master’s degree in curriculum and instruction from the University of Chicago and a PhD in organizational design development and leadership from Loyola University. She is also the recipient of four honorary doctorates.
Her career began as a teacher and expanded into educational administration, where she became known for reimagining curriculum and creating learning systems that nurture curiosity, creativity, and leadership and integrate the art and sciences. In 1983, she was invited to become the Founding President of the Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy (IMSA), the first three-year public residential secondary school in the United States for students talented in and committed to science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM).
IMSA quickly earned international attention and respect. After visiting the campus, Carl Sagan described the academy as “a gift from the people of Illinois to the human future,” a reflection of the bold vision behind its creation.
Marshall also served as the founding president of the National Consortium of Specialized Secondary STEM Schools and of the president of the International Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development. Her influence extended far beyond education through participation in the Clinton Global Initiative at the invitation of President Bill Clinton and the State of the World Forum at the invitation of President Mikhail Gorbachev. She has also been very active with the Canadian organization Free the Children by supporting the creation of two secondary schools to which she remains deeply connected.
Her leadership and service have been honored at the highest level conferred by the State of Illinois as a Laureate of the Lincoln Academy of Illinois. This recognition as an exceptional Illinoisan, is an honor reserved for those whose professional achievement and public service leave a lasting legacy.
A Community That Supports a Life of Purpose
At K-B House, Marshall has found a community that aligns with her values , commitments, and energy. Her move was not about stepping away from an active life but about removing boundaries that could slow her down.
By choosing a home designed around freedom, creativity, and interconnection, she continues to write, speak, and lead, proving that purpose does not diminish with age. At K-B House, Marshall is living a chapter defined not by the past but by future possibilities.
