Courtney Surls was named vice president for development in December 2008, having served in that capacity on an interim basis since the previous July.
Surls reports to the senior vice president for university advancement and works closely with senior university administration in developing plans and infrastructure to support the university’s advancement ambitions. She plays a leadership role directing advancement operations and USC’s relations with all philanthropic communities, including prominent individual supporters, charitable foundations, corporate donors, alumni, parents and friends.
Surls joined USC in 2004 as senior associate dean for external relations at the USC Marshall School of Business, where she led a 25-person staff of advancement professionals in major gift, annual fund, corporate relations, alumni affairs and campaign service units.
Previously, Surls served as director of development for Loyola Marymount University’s College of Business Administration in Los Angeles, and as development director for St. Bernard High School in Playa del Rey, Calif. She holds a bachelor’s degree in music from Iowa State University and a master’s degree in educational administration from Loyola Marymount.
