Carla Turner of Thomasville joined Thomas University on July 15 as its new Director of Development. In this role, Turner is part of TU’s Institutional Advancement Office and leads the university’s fundraising efforts. In her new position, Turner will directly manage grants and foundation relations as well as TU’s annual campaign.
 
“We are honored to have someone with Carla’s experience and passion for higher education fundraising join our team,” said Kurt Stringfellow, Vice President for Institutional Advancement. “Carla is already an important part of the Thomasville community, and we look forward to many successful fundraising efforts that will benefit TU students.”
 
Turner’s previous experience in higher education development includes serving nine years as the Director of Resource Development and Marketing at South Georgia Technical College in Americus, Georgia. In that role, she also served as the Executive Director of the Foundation for the college. Her efforts included raising more than $2.5 million for a successful capital campaign.
 
Turner also served as an Account Executive with Vintage Lifestyle Magazine in Americus, and as a Senior Caseworker for the Department of Family and Children Services in Sumter and Macon counties.
 
“Thomas University is a vital educational component of Thomasville and Southwest Georgia offering many educational opportunities for our citizens,” Turner said. “I am proud to be a part of the TU Institutional Advancement Team and look forward to helping the university fulfill its mission in our community.”
 
Turner is a member of First United Methodist Church of Thomasville, a member of the Georgia Southwestern Alumni Board, a member of the Class of 2015 Leadership Georgia, a member of the Thomasville Lady Banks Garden Club, a past co-chair of the book nook for the Thomasville Antiques Show, a former member of the National Council for Marketing and Public Relations, a former member of the National Council for Resource Development, and an honorary member of the Americus and Sumter County Junior Service League.
 
Turner holds a bachelor’s degree in Human Resource Management from Georgia Southwestern State University in Americus. She and her husband, Ty, live in Thomasville with their two children, Hallie and Anna Lane.