GSSM Announces Major Rebranding Effort

South Carolina Governor’s School for Science & Mathematics Announces Major Rebranding Effort

Hartsville, SC – A major rebranding effort has begun at the South Carolina Governor’s School for Science & Mathematics (GSSM). The public residential high school—a unique academic environment where motivated juniors and seniors pursue advanced studies in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM)—has produced a new logo, refined its external communications materials, and will soon embark on a comprehensive redesign of its website, among other things.

“Our brand defines our culture, so it’s essential that it represents who we are, what we believe, and what we value,” GSSM Interim President Dr. Ershela Sims says. “With this launch, we’re unifying the Govie community behind a clean, clear, revitalized identity.”

GSSM’s Marketing & Communications Manager, Mrs. Kiersten Cole, joined forces with the Columbia-based digital agency Cyberwoven to spearhead the rebranding effort. Mrs. Cole and the Cyberwoven team invited over 300 members of the Govie community—including current students, faculty, staff, alumni, and others—to participate in interviews, focus groups, and online surveys that informed their work on the brand. Participants identified four brand “pillars,” or characteristics, that they said were foundational to GSSM’s identity: Immersive, Rigorous, Supportive, and Impactful.

“We inspire joy and build confidence through transformative STEM experiences,” Mrs. Cole says. “As we continue to grow, forming new partnerships and advancing academic excellence across our state, we need a reimagined brand that clearly outlines the key benefits and competitive differentiators of our school. New brand pillars and a new logo help accomplish just that.”

GSSM serves over 10,000 South Carolinians a year through residential, virtual, and outreach programs that raise the bar for STEM education in the Palmetto State. The new logo embodies that mission by centering the iconic crescent moon from South Carolina’s beloved state flag over two overlapping diamond shapes, both of which are meant to represent the disciplines of math and science.

“Our new logo communicates that we are a forward-facing, South Carolina focused school,” Mrs. Cole says. “It signals the strength, intelligence, youthfulness, and passion that are at the core of who we are.”

“This rebranding effort is a positive investment in the future of our school,” GSSM Board of Trustees Chair Mr. Bob Brown says. “I’m grateful for the hard work that went into this effort, and I’m confident that we’ll continue to live up to the rigorous standards set by our new brand identity. That everyone—staff, students, and the entire GSSM community—will grow exponentially.”

Photos for Download:
GSSM Logo (.png)
Campus Photo (.jpg)

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One of the few specialized public residential high schools of its kind, the South Carolina Governor’s School for Science & Mathematics (GSSM) exists to push motivated young learners beyond their perceived levels of academic ability. Founded in 1988 under the leadership of the late Governor Carroll Campbell, GSSM has consistently raised the bar for STEM education in the Palmetto State. GSSM’s two-year residential high school program—as well as its virtual high school program, summer camps, and outreach programs—all invite young people to explore the subjects they love in a diverse, inclusive, and uncommonly supportive academic environment. Here, challenge is viewed as a gateway to opportunity. GSSM students embrace the school’s rigorous approach to education and in so doing begin to realize their full potential. Learn more by visiting www.scgssm.org.