(616) 238-2011 hello@drsurf.us
Experienced Faculty and Nonprofit Executive

CHRIS R. SURFUS, PH.D.

My Experience

I am a nonprofit executive with more than 15 years of experience.

In 2010, I founded the human rights advocacy organization that would become The Surfus Foundation from 2021 onward. The Surfus Foundation is an LGBTIQ+ public policy and research foundation in downtown Grand Rapids, MI. My leadership has been imprinted on several nonprofit organizations in West Michigan. I’m proud to have contributed to making West Michigan a diverse and inclusive place to live.

In 2021, I graduated with my Ph.D. in Public Administration from Western Michigan University after previously earning MPA and MBA degrees from Grand Valley State University in 2013 and 2014, respectively. After my Doctoral education, I was a Postdoctoral Research Associate in the NIDILRR-funded Advanced Rehabilitation Research and Training (ARRT) program at the University of New Hampshire’s Institute on Disability.

In 2022, I joined Western Michigan University’s School of Public Affairs and Administration as a term Faculty Specialist I of Public Administration where I taught seven courses in public and nonprofit administration.

In 2023, I led more than $70 million in federal grant application processes for The Surfus Foundation and continued to expand the organization’s operations.

In 2024, I founded Surfus Style, an eCommerce entity within The Surfus Foundation, to continue building upon our work to ensure the prosperity of the LGBTIQ+ communities of West Michigan and beyond.

The Surfus Foundation

Founding President

 

Present

Western Michigan University

Faculty Specialist I of Public Administration

 

2022 – 2023

University of New Hampshire

Postdoctoral Research Associate

 

2021 – 2022

Education

Western Michigan University

Master’s Degree (MPH)

Public Health

In Progress

2023 – Present

Western Michigan University

Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)

Public Administration

2014 – 2021

Grand Valley State University

Master’s Degree (MBA)

Business Administration

Master’s Degree (MPA)

Public Administration

Graduate Certificate

Nonprofit Leadership

2011 – 2014

Cornerstone University

Bachelor of Science

Business Administration

2008 – 2010

my Skills

A summary of my skills in research, organizational development, and teaching

  • Research
  • Development
  • Teaching

Research

  • Published in top journals: Three Scopus Q1-ranked Top 25% journal articles.
  • Developed several datasets on the U.S. Census Household Pulse Survey
  • Census Demographer: Estimated the LGBT population of the United States to be 8.5 percent.
  • 17 publications including blind peer-review and book chapters.
  • 29 conference presentations including at the International Conference on Public Policy in Toronto.

Development

  • Founded The Surfus Foundation
  • Wrote $75 million in federal grants
  • Received $25,000 grant that substantially expanded operations.
  • Launched Surfus Style with nearly a dozen product lines on eCommerce platforms.
  • Secured LGBTQ+ policy advancements in Holland, Grand Rapids, and surrounding areas.

Teaching

  • Rated 4.71 out of 5.00 by students for Nonprofit Leadership: Exceeds tenured Professor rating in first year (rated 4.60 out of 5.00).
  • 94% student approval rating.
  • Experiential Learning: Marketing Plan Group Applied Project.
  • Experience in in-person, hybrid, and online modalities
  • Expert at teaching Applied Research Methods.
Get In Touch

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