David A. Winkler
- Director of Strategic Operations & Effectiveness
David A. Winkler serves as the Director of Strategic Operations & Effectiveness for Student Life. In this role, he provides strategic leadership to advance divisional priorities through cross-departmental collaboration, program assessment, and operational excellence. Functioning in a chief of staff capacity, David oversees the operations of the Office of the Vice President for Student Life, facilitates the work of the Division’s senior leadership team, and leads initiatives that strengthen coordination, data-informed decision-making, and professional development across Student Life.
Driven by a commitment to organizational clarity and faith-centered leadership, David seeks to engage, equip, and elevate others in their shared work to enhance the Baylor student experience.
David joined Baylor in 2019 and previously served in the Graduate School in areas including enrollment management, communications, and personal and professional development. He is currently a PhD candidate in Baylor’s Higher Education Leadership program, studying the interplay between doctoral students’ academic identity formation and sense of self-worth. His other research and professional interests include Christ-animated student affairs, student faith and character development, assessment of student learning, ungrading, and Christian higher education at large.
He holds a master’s degree from Dallas Theological Seminary and a bachelor’s degree from Ouachita Baptist University. David is married to Caroline, and they have two sons.
