Dr. Hector E. Flores Begins Role as GSSM’s New President

Hartsville, SC – The South Carolina Governor’s School for Science and Mathematics (GSSM) is pleased to announce that its newest and third president in the School’s 28-year history, Dr. Hector E. Flores, began his term on April 15th, 2016. GSSM faculty, staff and students welcomed Flores with a cookout on April 18th where they got to know their new leader, including his love of books and Latin music.

“I’m incredibly excited to begin this new chapter at the Governor’s School,” said Flores. “This School is truly changing the future of education in South Carolina.”

During the cookout, Flores engaged students, learned about their interests, and spent time getting to know them, as well as faculty. The cookout culminated in an impromptu dance lesson during which Flores taught the students how to salsa.

Prior to RIT, Flores served as Professor at the Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos; as Professor and Dean at Texas State University; as Professor and Dean at Arkansas State University; and as Professor at Pennsylvania State University. He has also served as a visiting scientist at the National Science Foundation. Dean of Graduate studies at Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) since 2011, Flores holds master’s and PhD degrees in Biology from Yale University and a master’s degree from the University of Puerto Rico. He earned his bachelor’s from the Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos in Lima, Peru.

Additionally, Flores has published extensively, overseen numerous grants, edited several books and guided many master’s and PhD students and postdoctoral fellows, as well as many undergraduate and Honors students. He has established many consortia, particularly international partnerships. He has a strong interest in and commitment to the education of minority students.

“GSSM is a really special place and I’m glad I’m here,” he said.

About GSSM

The South Carolina Governor’s School for Science and Mathematics (GSSM) is a two-year, public, residential high school in Hartsville, SC, specializing in the advanced study of science, technology, engineering and math (STEM), with a unique emphasis on economics and entrepreneurship.

GSSM residential program can serve as many as 288 high school juniors and seniors annually from across the state. In addition, the school impacts more than 10,000 students and teachers each year through its innovative outreach and virtual programs. Learn more by visiting www.scgssm.org.