There is only one Georgia State University. No other institution shares its history, its campus footprint, its mission and vision, the members of its university community, or its relationships with others.
All of these elements—and more—compose Georgia State’s unique identity. Defining the university’s distinctive identity in a way that is clear, understandable, memorable and authentic is both important and challenging.
As a member of Georgia State’s family, you have a special role to play in helping students, elected officials, business leaders and others understand what makes this university uniquely important to them—and also to our fellow citizens across the state and beyond.
Georgia State University, an enterprising public research university in the heart of Atlanta, is a national leader in graduating students from diverse backgrounds. The university provides its world-class faculty and more than 32,000 students with unsurpassed connections to the opportunities available in one of the 21st century’s great global cities.
To help faculty, students and others make informed decisions—and to attract the attention and investment of individuals and organizations who might not otherwise consider Georgia State—it’s important that members of the university community communicate and operate in ways that consistently and transparently reflect the university’s unique mission, vision and position.
It’s always important to remember that individually and collectively our actions and the many ways in which we carry out the mission of the university build credibility for the university’s identity.
Key Messages of the Positioning Statement
- Guiding Students to Success
Georgia State has a university-wide commitment to student advising and attention to student progress to graduation. The university is nationally recognized as a leader in creating innovative approaches that foster the success of students from all academic, socio-economic, racial and ethnic backgrounds. By making student success the highest priority of the university, Georgia State changes lives and contributes to the economic, social and cultural vitality of the state, nation and world. - Connecting to Atlanta and Cities Around the World
The university’s location provides students and faculty with wide-ranging opportunities to connect with the city’s business, government, nonprofit and cultural communities. On a campus without boundaries, students expand their view of the world, find doors open to internships and opportunities just a few blocks from campus and develop professional skills and relationships that enhance post-graduation success. In Atlanta, faculty members are at the nexus of an urban laboratory, enabling them to draw creative inspiration and address critical societal issues locally and in cities around the world. - Leading the Commitment to Diversity
Georgia State is among the most diverse universities in the nation. The university is committed to providing students from all backgrounds the opportunity to better themselves through higher education. Georgia State is a recognized leader in graduating students from diverse socio-economic, racial and ethnic backgrounds. In a campus community that celebrates diversity of thought and background, students, faculty and staff expand their understanding of the world and learn from the perspectives of people from all cultures. - Embracing Discovery and Creativity That Improve Our World
Georgia State is a community of faculty members who are engaged in pioneering research and creative achievement, and successfully engage students in these activities. Through a commitment to interdisciplinary research and collaboration, innovation and entrepreneurship, aided by Atlanta’s global connections, Georgia State’s faculty improves the quality of life and builds economic strength in Atlanta and beyond. The faculty’s creative and artistic achievements have an enduring cultural impact locally, nationally and globally. Georgia State’s commitment to addressing the problems, issues and opportunities common to the world’s cities make it a valuable cultural and economic asset to Atlanta. And its location in the heart of Atlanta, a fast-growing metropolitan area with more than five million people and more than a dozen headquarters of Fortune 500 companies, promotes synergies and partnerships unavailable at most other research universities. - Extending Connections Across the Globe
Georgia State’s location in one of the great global cities of the 21st century and its proximity to the world’s busiest airport provide unique advantages that enable the university to build international connections for its faculty, students and alumni. These connections open pathways for important research and creative collaborations, cultivate global knowledge and understanding, and enhance opportunities for strategic international partnerships. Faculty and students work with civic, business and policy leaders from across the globe to achieve solutions to complex problems that challenge cities worldwide. The university is committed to building upon its heritage of solutions-oriented urban research, and has set its sights on working closely with partners in emerging markets through international initiatives. - Fostering an Enterprising Culture
From its founding a century ago, Georgia State has been home to people pursuing opportunities to elevate their lives through education. Students from all walks of life have come to the university, some overcoming major obstacles to earn their degrees. The university is dedicated to offering programs to students’ educational needs. Students, faculty and alumni together have created an enterprising campus personality and culture based on ambition, hard work, dedication and perseverance.
Design Templates
The logotype
The university logotype is set in a highly modified form of a standard typeface. Because this typeface has been modified, individuals should never try to recreate the logotype using a standardized font. Copies of the logo — with approved logotype configurations — are available from the Division of University Relations.
Logo Lockups
At Georgia State University, we refer to college marks that tie colleges to the university as “lock-ups.” Correct and consistent use of the Perimeter College lock-up builds awareness of the college and supports its reputation for quality and service.
The Perimeter College lock-up consists of three parts: the Georgia State University registered logo, the vertical dividing bar and the college name.
Color Use
The university logo is a trademarked image, and all its configurations, including the college lock-up, should appear in the colors outlined below. The official colors of the university are blue (PMS 286) and white. Accent colors are grey and red. Strong use of the university blue is encouraged. The university red should play a secondary, minimal role. The flame may only be blue or white — never red.
Approved College Name Reference
Approved Name References for Perimeter College and Georgia State University
Just how do you refer to our college? What about our university?
Georgia State University’s Office of Public Relations and Marketing Communications has approved the following style guidelines for Georgia State University’s and Perimeter College’s name. To promote consistency and branding, all employees are encouraged to follow these guidelines.
Perimeter College
For our college, the preferred name on first reference is: Georgia State University’s Perimeter College
Because this tends to project a casual feel, other options are available if the above sounds or looks inappropriate:
- Perimeter College at Georgia State University (This works well for formal use, such as invitations, etc.)
- Georgia State University Perimeter College (This often works as an adjective, such as Georgia State University Perimeter College students, etc. This also is used frequently in social media because of its brevity.)
- On second references, the college name can be shortened to Perimeter College.
- Perimeter College should not be referred to as “PC” or “GSU-PC” or similar abbreviations.
- If a short descriptive reference is needed after first reference to the full name of the college, “Perimeter” may be used, as in “Perimeter students,” “Perimeter policies,” etc.
Georgia State University
Our national and international identity hinges on the words “Georgia State University.”
- Do not use the initialism “GSU.” Beyond our community of insiders, this acronym is not well recognized and may be confused with other institutions.
- We want to proclaim the university’s name, not obscure it. Some of your readers may use the term “GSU” themselves, but never risk minimizing the recognition or impact of the name “Georgia State University.”
- In general, use the full name “Georgia State University” the first time you refer to the university in text.
- Upon second reference and thereafter, use “Georgia State” or “university.”
- Per Associated Press (AP) style, use lowercase when using “the university” as a reference.
- Right: Georgia State University is in Atlanta. The university was started in 1913.
- “GSU” may be used on social media and within athletics or when writing for internal audiences familiar with the university.