Nicol Reiner

Nicol is the Director of Education and Outreach at the Sanford Underground Research Facility (SURF) in Lead, South Dakota. Her work with the Education and Outreach team provides opportunities for students to engage in activities that promote curiosity and confidence in STEM, supports educators as they create and facilitate high quality STEM learning experiences for students, and connects educators and researchers in ways that forward the goals of the research community as well as promote a STEM-literate citizenry and workforce.

Nicol has more than 30 years of experience in the field of education serving in several capacities. Her early career in education included teaching secondary mathematics and German before moving into a role as an instructional coach supporting teachers to strengthen classroom instruction. Nicol was also an adjunct graduate math education instructor at the University of Sioux Falls. After leaving the classroom, Nicol worked for the SD Department of Education—first as the State Mathematics Specialist and then as the Director of Standards, Learning, and Leadership. At the SD Department of Education, she created and led several initiatives to forward both teacher leadership and teacher facilitation of high-quality learning experiences. 

Though she loves to travel, South Dakota has always been Nicol’s home. She earned her bachelor’s degree from South Dakota State University, studying education, German, and mathematics and attained her master’s degree from the University of Sioux Falls in Educational Leadership.   

Nicol has been with the SURF Education and Outreach team since 2020 and is passionate about creating moments of curiosity and connecting STEM to learners of all ages.