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.