Residence Life Staff


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

The staff provides emotional support, arranges social and recreational opportunities, sets guidelines for acceptable behavior, interprets and enforces School policies, responds to problems and conflicts, and administers discipline when necessary.  The residence life staff is in charge of the day-to-day operations of the residence life program and, with administrative support, has responsibility for decision-making in this area.  

The residence life coordinators are professional, full-time staff members who live in the residence hall. There are four RLCs who 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 and were chosen for their maturity, leadership, communication skills and interest in working with teenagers.

A guidance counselor is on staff to support students with both academic and emotional counseling services.

2010-11 Residence Life Staff Members

Second Floor Male

CENTER: RLC Alexander "Alex" James of Salley, SC, earned his bachelor of arts degree in
communications with a minor in graphic design from Coker College. While at Coker, Alex worked for three years in the residence life department.  He
also has worked for six consecutive summers with the Upward Bound Math and Science-PRISM Program at Claflin University for high school students. Alex plans to pursue a master's degree in either Communications or higher education and student affairs. Alex has enjoyed coaching the swim team for the past three seasons.  His ultimate goal is to work at a college or university in the student affairs or residence life departments. He is
enjoying his fourth year at GSSM.

LEFT: RA Joshua Turner of Simpsonville, SC, is a third-year computer science major at Coker College.  He is an easy-going person who loves to chill out and have fun.  He is the type of person who will take any bad situation and make something good of it.  He loves traveling to new places and always up to learning something new.  When Josh graduates from Coker he plans to obtain his master's degree in computer science.  Josh is having fun working with the students at GSSM and is excited about working with the RLC staff.

RIGHT: RA Quinn Wenger originally from Utah, is a second year student majoring in sociology at Coker College.  His father was in the military so he traveled a lot and lived in many places.  He lived in Germany for most of his childhood and then moved to good old South Carolina when he was in the sixth grade.  He attended Sumter High School and ran track and cross country all four years and was MVP and team captain his senior year for both sports.  He received a running scholarship to Coker and now competes on the school's cross country team.  He is part of The National Society Of Leadership and Success, and is the treasurer of the sophomore class.  He looks forward to being a part of the GSSM experience and hopes to not only make a positive impact on the student experience, but also to better their futures.

Second Floor Female


CENTER: RLC Lindsey Marie Gainey of Bethune, SC,  has a degree in psychology from Coker College. While attending Coker, Lindsey was an RA at GSSM for four years. After completing her bachelor's degree, she worked at the North Carolina School for Science and Math. During her summers, Lindsey enjoys working at the School of American Ballet in New York City. She is pursuing her master's degree in counselor education from Winthrop University.

LEFT: RA Caitlyn Higgins of Hixson, TN is a second year psychology major at Coker College.  She has worked for the Tennessee Aquarium caring for the show animals, served as a recruiter for the cheerleading team at Coker and worked in the Chattanooga Public library. She runs cross country, loves sports, being outside, reading and a challenge.  She is very excited about working with the GSSM students.

RIGHT: RA Taylor Adams of Union, SC is a senior theater performance major at Coker College.  She enjoys going to plays, watching sports, movies, traveling and singing in Coker College's choir program.  She enjoys meeting new people and always keeps a smile on her face.  When she finishes at Coker, she plans to get her master's degree in education and teach high school drama.  Taylor is very excited to work with the students at GSSM!


Third Floor Male

CENTER: 
RA Joshua Hunt of Kansas City, Mo. is a sophomore majoring in psychology and communications at Coker College.  He loves movies, writing, being hilarious and people.  He is always willing to help anybody with anything and never turns down an opportunity to meet new people.  After Coker he plans to get his master's degree and doctorate or become a starving artist!  Joshua is eager to work with the people of GSSM and is thankful for the opportunity.

LEFT: 
RA Keith Martin of Manning, SC is a second year psychology major at Coker College.  He enjoys traveling, meeting new people, spending time with family and friends.  He likes acting, watching movies and being goofy because laughter is important.  One interesting fact about Keith is that he plays the saxophone.  After graduating from Coker, he plans to attend medical school and pursue his goal of becoming a doctor. He considers it an honor to be working at GSSM and he looks forward to working with the students and staff.

RIGHT: 
RLC Anthony Peguese of Florence, SC,  has been a resident assistant at the Governor's School the past three years and is now serving his first year as a residence life coordinator.  He has a bachelor's degree in psychology from Coker College and plans to pursue his master's degree in social work. Anthony is a fun-loving person who enjoys music, reading, spending time with family and friends, meeting new people and working with diverse populations. Anthony has worked with the talented students at the School of American Ballet, the brilliant scholars of the Children's Defense Fund Freedom Schools Program, the energetic and artistic students at the Boy's and Girl's Club, as well as the children of his community on the choir. Anthony has a thirst for life that will not be quenched until he has made a difference in the world! Anthony enjoys working with the amazing students of GSSM and is excited about the new school year!


Third Floor Female
 
CENTER: 
RA Kira Dobbs of Fort Myers Beach, Fla., is a second year early childhood education major at Coker College. She loves to read, listen to music and hang out outside. She also loves to scrapbook and do arts and crafts projects. After graduating she plans to teach at an elementary school in either pre-K or kindergarten. Kira loves working with the wonderful students at GSSM.

LEFT:
RA Tiffany Bain of Kansas City, Mo., is a second year early childhood and elementary education major and psychology minor.  She enjoys reading, being with family and friends, and shopping.  She also likes photography, doodling and traveling.  When Tiffany graduates, she wants to be a preschool teacher and eventually be an educational leader.  She also would like to travel the world.  She is very excited to work with the students at the Governor’s School this year!

RIGHT: 
RLC Cathy Thomas of Hartsville, SC, received her bachelor's degree in sociology from the University of South Carolina in 2005.This is her sixth year on staff and she comes with four years of residence life experience, having previously worked at USC as a resident adviser for first-year students. Cathy is in her final semester of her master's degree program in the field of higher education and student affairs. Her hobbies include traveling, spending time with family and friends and shopping.