Barbara Stock Nielsen, Ed.D.

(1942- )

Dr. Barbara Nielsen served South Carolina from 1990 – 1998 as South Carolina State Superintendent of Education, the second woman to be elected to statewide office in her own right. Her two terms at Chief Executive Officer for the State Department of Education followed many years directly in the classroom in Kentucky as well as playing lead roles in curriculum, career education and as coordinator of educational improvement. Dr. Nielsen earned degrees from the University of Dayton and University of Louisville, completing her doctorate in Education with specialization in administration and planning. Since leaving the Department of Education, Barbara has served South Carolina Governor Mark Sanford as advisor on K-12 education, as a senior fellow at the Strom Thurmond Institute at Clemson University and as Interim Superintendent to the SC Public Charter School District.

Back to Groundbreakers

South Carolina Women’s Leadership Network (SCWIL) is a multi-partisan non-profit organization that promotes democracy by encouraging women to become informed about public issues and active in the public debate. WIL helps all those who express interest to find resources for information on those issues. WIL does not endorse particular views, legislation, or candidates for public office.