Barbara Nejman graduated from Clarion State Teachers College in 1972, majoring in education with a minor in art, but her diving career made her an itinerant college student. While there she won the intercollegiate diving title on 1-metre and 3-metre springboard in 1971, in the pre-AIAW days. However, at various times she took classes at Indiana University, St. Cloud State University, University of Michigan, Grand Canyon University and Scottsdale Community College. She eventually taught high school history and social studies at Xavier Preparatory School and then at Notre Dame Prep in Scottsdale, Arizona. Nejman was a finalist 26 times in national diving championships.