TCU Chancellor Pullin says with new job ‘there’s always a basket of surprises’

Almost two months into his new role, TCU Chancellor Daniel Pullin said he feels like a student every day.

Leading a university through a major growth initiative, while navigating the shifting landscape of higher education, there’s something new to learn around every corner.

“There’s always a basket of surprises,” Pullin said.

Running a university involves overseeing numerous enterprises, some so large they’re practically their own businesses. There’s the traditional academics component — encompassing research, labs and faculty; managing the university’s endowment, which is virtually its own investment portfolio; and don’t forget about heading up 22 Division I college sports teams.

“With the changes in college athletics, you’re almost running multiple professional sports franchises, and then you’re kind of like a mini mayor of a small city, because you’ve got a physical plant and utilities, and we have a police department and all the things that bring these 300 acres to life every day,” Pullin said. “So, there is no standard day. Every day is new and fresh.”

Though preparations for the fall semester are well underway, Pullin still found time to enjoy the summer. He and his wife recently returned from a vacation to northern Spain and Sicily.

But the quiet before the storm is coming to an end. Most students have left campus for the summer, but Pullin and the rest of the university’s administrators are preparing for over 13,000 students to descend on campus in August.

Enrollment likely to grow

The university expects to see a 2% increase in enrollment this fall, once numbers are finalized. Last fall, 12,938 students were enrolled at TCU.

The university expects to enroll a record number of first-year students. Almost all first- and second-year students are required to live in on-campus housing, a policy that has strained TCU’s housing availability as enrollment grows.

TCU opened two new dorms in January: Hill Hall and Walsh Hall. Together, they added 292 beds. Pullin said the new dorms and existing partnerships with off-campus housing providers should be able to provide enough accommodations for students.

About $500 million in housing is under construction, both on and off campus. The new housing will add 3,230 beds for students by the fall 2027 semester.

Developing research programs

TCU’s strategic plan involves growing enrollment, improving research capabilities, boosting athletics and increasing the university’s engagement with the community.

As part of the research component, TCU is aiming to become an “R1” university, the highest research designation an institution can receive. The status can be gained through bolstering traditional STEM programs or establishing robust programs in emerging fields. SMU got R1 status after building a supercomputing program.

Pullin said TCU is still exploring what fields it will pursue as research capability grows. He plans to “listen to what the market needs.”

“We’ll continue to lean into our historic strengths, but I know our faculty are really excited to continue to pivot and pursue new fields,” Pullin said.

Looking ahead

Pullin said he hopes to emulate former Chancellor Victor Boschini’s care for students and on-campus presence. He’s looking forward to teaching a class on entrepreneurship this fall.

Though TCU’s first football game of the season won’t kick off until Sept. 1, Pullin is optimistic about the Horned Frogs’ upcoming season.

“I think you’ll like what you see this fall,” Pullin said.