Daniel W. Pullin is the 11th chancellor of Texas Christian University (TCU) in Fort Worth. He began his tenure on May 30, 2025, succeeding Victor J. Boschini Jr., who became chancellor emeritus.
Career at TCU
Pullin has held three of the university’s top jobs. He served for three years as the John V. Roach Dean of the Neeley School of Business, TCU’s business school, and then led the university as president for two years before being named chancellor.
He joined TCU in 2019 from the University of Oklahoma, where he was dean of the Price College of Business and a university vice president. TCU announced in December 2022 that he would become president, and he took that office on February 1, 2023. He is also a professor of entrepreneurship and innovation.
TCU describes his background as a mix of academic leadership, entrepreneurship and commercial business experience. As chancellor, he created a cabinet-level chief university strategy and innovation officer position.
Before his academic career, Pullin worked for the consulting firm McKinsey & Company and for the private equity firm Hicks Muse Tate & Furst and its portfolio companies. He earned his undergraduate degrees and a law degree from the University of Oklahoma and an MBA from Harvard Business School.
Why it matters for Fort Worth
TCU’s leadership shapes the business school pipeline, research programs such as the Ralph Lowe Energy Institute, and the university’s Big 12 athletic programs. Two other TCU leaders were named to the same edition of the Dallas 500: Neeley dean Craig Crossland and Nikki Morris, executive director of the Ralph Lowe Energy Institute.
The chancellor’s role combines the top academic leadership of the university with its relationships with donors, alumni, the board of trustees and the Fort Worth business community. TCU held a formal inauguration for Pullin after he took office.
Recognition
Pullin was named to D CEO’s 2027 Dallas 500 in the colleges and universities category. TCU’s listing in the Portal of Dallas directory includes all three of the university’s honorees.