The South Carolina Governor's School for Science and Mathematics

The residence life staff members are responsible for directing, guiding and supervising GSSM students, particularly in areas of non-academic development.

The residence life coordinators are professional, full-time staff members who live in the residence hall. Four RLCs work rotating schedules which include day, night and weekend shifts so that the students in the residence hall are supervised 24/7. The RLCs also supervise two resident assistants who also live on their floors. 

The resident assistants serve as counselors, plan hall activities, help enforce guidelines, and act as liaisons between the students and staff. RAs are local college students who are chosen for their maturity, leadership, communication skills and interest in working with teenagers.

Director of Campus Life

John Batten

Johnny is originally from Central Maine and was GSSM’s Residence Life Coordinator for four years before being promoted to the Director position. Before GSSM, Johnny spent four years working in student life at Fordham University in residence hall management and housing operations. He began his career working at the Maine School for Science and Mathematics, where he served as a resident assistant and a hall director. He has also worked with Upward Bound and GSSM's GoSciTech summer science and technology camp.  He holds a bachelor's degree in communications from the University of Maine at Presque Isle and a master's degree in psychology from Walden University.

Coordinator of Student Activities

Chelsea Lane

Chelsea Lane, of McBee, SC, served as a Resident Assistant at the Governor’s School for almost two years and is the new Student Activities Coordinator. In her new role, she works with students on monthly service projects and fun weekly activities in the Student Activity Center. She holds a bachelor’s degree in counseling psychology, with a minor in sociology, from Coker College. She currently volunteers at the newly created Thelma Louis Barns Learning Center in McBee, which teaches teens better communication skills and helps build confidence with public speaking. She enjoys a variety of activities, such as reading, horseback riding, music, spending time with family and friends and meeting new people. She loves working with these incredible students and looks forward to helping them find ways to become involved in both the GSSM and Hartsville communities.

Second Floor Girls Residence Hall

Wilhemina Kamara, RLC

Wilhemina Kamara, of Somerset, NJ, has a bachelor's degree in business administration, with a concentration in international business, from William Paterson University and is completing her master's degree in management leadership.

Wilhemina is a fun-loving person who enjoys all types of music, reading, spending time with family and close friends, and traveling around the world. She has worked at Devry University and University of Charleston as a Resident Director. She started her student involvement career path as a Peer Health Advocate at William Paterson University, serving as the group leader and mentor to students as well as the children of her community.  Wilhemina is driven and has a passion for life and an unshakable determination to make an impact in the world.

Shanice Kelly, RA

Shanice Kelly, of Latta, SC, has recently joined the Residence Life staff at GSSM.  Currently she is a sophomore at Coker College majoring in criminology, with a specialization in pre-law and a minor in psychology.  She is an active member of the Coker Singers and the Gospel Choir at Coker College.  Friends describe her as a caring, fun-loving person whose hobbies include singing and playing the saxophone.  Her goal here at GSSM is to help the students feel more comfortable in their home away from home.  It is her hope that students will take good memories away from their experience at GSSM. 

Jasmine Brown, RA

Jasmine Brown, of Bennettsville, SC, is a senior completing a double major in counseling psychology and dance therapy. She joined the RA team in November of 2011 and is entering her second year on staff.  One of the reasons she enjoys working at GSSM is the family environment.  She is always happy to help the students and appreciates the support she receives from her fellow Resident Assistants.

Second Floor Boys Residence Hall

Brenden Marcell, RLC

Brenden Marcell, of Simpsonville, SC, is serving in the role of Residence Life Coordinator for his first year. He has spent the past four years attending Coker College and was awarded a bachelor’s degree in sports management. Future plans include attaining a master’s degree in education. In his free time, Brenden was a member of the Coker men’s basketball team. He enjoys a variety of sports and looks forward to working with the athletes at GSSM.  Other interests include trying a variety of new foods, listening to music, traveling and watching movies.  He enjoys working with people and pushing them to achieve their goals.

Quinn Wenger, RA

Quinn Wenger, of Sumter, SC, has been on staff at GSSM for the past two years.  Currently he attends Coker College and will receive his degree in business in May 2013.  He is an outgoing individual who enjoys running, music and spending time with friends and family.  He enjoys meeting new people and making friends.  Quinn has been fortunate enough to work with organizations such as Harvest Hope and Habitat for Humanity.  He enjoys working with the amazing students at GSSM and looks forward to building relationships with new students each year.

Eren Moses, RA

Eren Moses, of Sumter, SC, has spent the past two years attending Coker College and has recently joined the Residence Life staff for his first year on second floor. Friends describe him as a fun-loving person who enjoys sports, dancing and spending time with his family.  He is looking forward to new opportunities to grow mentally, physically and emotionally during his junior year at Coker.  When Eren is not on campus here at GSSM, you can often find him on the basketball court. The game has been a part of his life for 8 years, and he is a part of the men’s basketball program at Coker College.  He looks forward to having opportunities to make a difference in the lives of the young scholars here at GSSM.

Third Floor Girls Residence Hall

LaTisha “Tish” Jackson, RLC

Tish Jackson, of Florence, SC, earned her Bachelor of Arts in sociology from Morris College, as well as a Master of Arts in human behavior and conflict management from Columbia College. She is currently working on a second Master of Arts in professional counseling from South University.  She is in her second year here at GSSM and is looking forward to getting to know the students of GSSM, especially the ladies of Third Floor.  Her future goals include becoming a Licensed Professional Counselor and opening a private practice to help children and families. 

Brittany Stephens, RA

Brittany Stephens, of McBee, SC, is a senior at Coker College who is enrolled as a social work major and criminology minor.  She is a hard-working and fun-loving individual who enjoys reading, writing, listening to music and spending time with her friends and family.  Currently she serves as the president of the Social Work Student Association of Coker College. She is very excited to be a member of the GSSM staff and to have the opportunity to work with the amazing students of GSSM this year.

Kenya Frazier, RA

Kenya Frazier, of Lexington, SC, has been attending Coker College for one year.  She is studying elementary and early childhood education with a minor in psychology.  At present, she is connected to several organizations at Coker College, including the Cultural Club and Coker College Union, which is similar to the Student Activities Board at GSSM.  She is also connected with the Coker cheerleading squad and enjoys cheering on the Cobras at athletic events!  When she has free time, she enjoys reading, watching musicals, spending time with family and having great laughs with friends.  One of her favorite things in life is group activities. She is a friendly person who enjoys helping others—it’s rare to see her around campus without a smile on her face.

Third Floor Boys Residence Hall

Anthony Peguese, RLC

Anthony Peguese, of Florence, SC, served as a Resident Assistant at the Governor’s School for his first three years on campus. He is currently entering his third year as a member of the Residence Life Coordinator team, and he really enjoys working with the amazing students at GSSM. He holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Coker College and has just recently received his master’s in education, with a focus in divergent learning. He is best described as a fun-loving person who enjoys music, reading, spending time with family and friends, meeting new people and working with diverse populations. He has worked with talented students at the School of American Ballet, the brilliant scholars of the Children’s Defense Fund Freedom Schools Program and the energetic and artistic students at the Boys and Girls Club, as well as the children’s choir in his community.

Joel Bristol, RA

Joel is originally from Palm Bay, Florida.  He is a second-year member of the Residence Life staff here at GSSM and a junior at Coker College, where he is majoring in counseling psychology and minoring in criminology.  The next step in his academic career, once he has completed his degree at Coker, will be to pursue a master’s in social work.  He has always had a passion for improving the lives of young people, and working with the students at GSSM is a great step towards his future goal of working with children. Aside from his academics and his work at GSSM, his other passion is playing and coaching soccer. He is currently a member of the Coker College men’s soccer team. One of his best memories from his first year was assisting with the boys’ soccer program here at GSSM, which made a historic run to the 1A state title game.  Joel emphasizes that our students can be just as competitive on the athletic field as they can be in the classroom.