38 www.ReadMPM.com | www.MountPleasantMagazine.com | www.MountPleasantPodcast.com led her news team, reminding them to stay focused but compassionate and sensitive to the needs of the community. Nelms knows the TV business inside and out, having once worked in sales and management positions at other local television stations. But as a Lowcountry resident, she also considers herself a part of the broader Charleston community, dedicating her time and effort to causes such as the American Lung Association and the Cooper River Bridge Run. ANITA HUGGINS Keeping the public informed includes educating our children. Schools must make sure that students acquire the skills they need to become engaged citizens. Anita Huggins spearheads that effort as superintendent of the Charleston County School District, the second largest public school district in the state. The position has long weathered the troubled waters of leadership challenges, but the appointment of Huggins last year prompted an endorsement by three area mayors who recognized her promise of collaboration and transparency. An employee of the CCSD for over 25 years serving as a teacher, principal and in other administrative positions, her leadership skills have also been sharpened through her participation in programs that aim to improve students’ reading and math skills. She has promised an equitable distribution of resources to continue and build on the successes of those programs. Huggins was the district’s executive director of Educator Effectiveness for 12 years, and her initiatives to help educators develop proven teaching techniques as well as to pursue the goal of closing the achievement gap for students of color give hope to many. TONYA MATTHEWS As a region rich in history, our community teems with many other important educational resources. Exploring the African American experience is crucial for learners of any age and is a compelling story that’s told at the International African American Museum. Located at the site of the original port of entry for enslaved Africans arriving in America, its mission is to challenge, illuminate, inspire and move people to action. Dr. Tonya Matthews, president and CEO, brings a plethora of qualifications and personal experiences to the table, ranging from leadership positions at the Michigan Science Center to serving on the National Assessment Governing Board. Matthews holds degrees in biomedical engineering and is a member of the Board on Science Education at the National Academy of Sciences. Her passion for education runs deep. She created the STEMinista Project at the Michigan Science Center, giving young women a pathway to explore careers in science, technology, engineering and math. She is also an advocate for professional women, particularly those of color, to pursue STEM education, calling her efforts the “pre-K through gray initiative.” Her current position at IAAM is grounded by her expertise in nonprofit management and fundraising. Matthews was named a trailblazer by Career Mastered Magazine and Charleston Business Magazine named her one of the area’s most influential women. ANITA ZUCKER If there is one person whose name always comes up when discussing education, it’s Anita Zucker. She’s a former teacher herself but is also a successful business owner and philanthropist, having donated millions of dollars to The Citadel, the College of Charleston and many other institutions and causes, particularly those with an emphasis on education and health. Zucker is one of the founders of the Charleston Metro Chamber of Commerce’s Education Foundation and was formerly appointed by the governor to the state’s Education and Economic Development Coordinating Council. She’s been the president or a board member of far too many organizations to list and has received numerous awards for her efforts targeting education, including the Order of the Palmetto and our town
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