David D. Hopkins, PhD

David D. Hopkins has spent over 25 years navigating the layered corridors of American higher education—moving through the classroom, administrative offices, and academic advising departments with equal fluency. He’s also worn several other hats: soldier, stock trader, and academic publishing executive.

Today, his work is expanding into new terrain at the intersection of education, artificial intelligence, and data analytics—where traditional systems meet transformative technologies. His current focus explores how these tools can be leveraged to reshape decision-making, optimize outcomes, and empower learners without getting lost in the hype.

As both professor and consultant, Dr. Hopkins blends no-nonsense strategy with a rare ability to make the complex digestible. Whether working one-on-one with students or speaking to packed auditoriums, he equips audiences with the tools, mindset, and data they need to take control of their futures.

Education

Formally trained in the humanities, with a special emphasis on literature, philosophy, and archetypal criticism, David D. Hopkins began his academic journey grounded in the analytical and interpretive traditions of the liberal arts.

Over the course of a diverse career spanning decades and demanding a wide range of skill sets, his education evolved to include applied fields such as artificial intelligence, data analytics, and certifications in coaching and academic advising.

Each of these domains now informs his integrated approach to teaching, consulting, and strategic decision-making.

  • Doctorate in Humanities | Warnborough University | Canterbury, United Kingdom | 2001

  • Master of Arts, Humanities | California State University | Carson, California | 1999

  • Bachelor of Arts, Literature | Arkansas State University | Jonesboro, Arkansas | 1995

  • Financial Coach Certification | United Way Suncoast | 2015

  • Career Development Facilitator | National Career Development Association | 2015

  • Certified Prompt Engineer | Blockchain Council | 2023

  • Promp Engineering for ChatGPT Certification | Vanderbilt University | 2025

  • Google Analytics Certification | Google | 2025

Experience

David D. Hopkins’s professional experience spans the full landscape of higher education—and well beyond it. Over the past 25+ years, he has held various roles, including academic instruction, advising, administration, publishing, finance, and consulting. This broad base has shaped a uniquely versatile perspective on how systems function, how individuals succeed within them, and how to reengineer those systems when they are not functioning optimally.

For a detailed look at specific roles and affiliations, feel free to visit his LinkedIn profile.

Professional Endorsements

  • It's rare to have the opportunity to work with such an effective manager with the natural ability to positively influence change. I had the opportunity to work under David at CCI while he effectively managed our department during a difficult time of change. With his leadership, and his unique ability to skillfully manage both numbers and people, our department made it through the change coming out on top.

    Gina S.

  • David has a great heart for students and works hard to see them be successful. He brought a very diverse skill set and experience portfolio to this position and was instrumental in creating processes, workforce student lifecycle models, and developing strong reporting metrics to gauge our successes and assist in reporting requirements. He developed many strong relationships with our internal and external partners. David brings great energy, integrity, and intelligence to any professional situation.

    Susan G.

  • David is a true class act and has a passion for what he does to change students' lives. He is a pleasure to work with in meeting hiring goals for his growing team; he is always clear on his hiring objectives and gives consistent and timely feedback, which results in hiring the best and brightest talent for his team. David is a valued leader within the company; this is shown through his multiple promotions during our his tenure with Everest..

    Amanda E.

  • David is a gifted leader with an unwavering focus on achieving positive student outcomes. He is a highly trustworthy, strategic thinker with the ability to effectively articulate his vision and execute the same. Whether in the classroom or boardroom, managing an existing model or developing a new one, David is resolute and successful in achieving results.

    Corey W.

  • I had the pleasure of working with David a few years ago on a quality assurance project. David is highly-detailed, conscientious and dedicated to making things work. He is great at meeting objectives, deadlines and leading others. I have no hesitation in recommending David as a personable, trustworthy and dilligent person.

    Julian N.

  • David is not only the ultimate professional, he is also very approachable and personable. With years of experience behind him, David has developed a wide ranging network of professionals in the education, medical and business fields among others. He is trustworthy, reliable and honest to a fault. David is a "can do" man who quickly learns the routine and becomes a valuable asset.

    Rosa S.

  • In an industry focused more on driving profit margins than student outcomes, David was a breath of fresh air. Having worked in a collaborative relationship with David for five years, I deeply appreciated his commitment to student persistence and longitudinal results. David has the personal integrity, proven track record, and strategic perspective to execute on large scale initiatives.

    Josh W.

  • I have seen him go from strength to strength, as he has taken on more and more responsibility. He has confirmed my first impressions and fulfilled his early promise. He has a brilliant future ahead of him, as he thrives on hard work and facing new challenges. He is totally committed to his family and his love of study, research and education. I also admire his integrity and his values. David is highly intelligent and has good analytical skills.

    Noor M.

  • David is a unique erudite individual with effective time management skills who proactively listens and takes action,maintains open communication and diplomacy with all and resolves issues as they come quickly. He is truly an enjoyable person to work with and maintains the utter most integrity with all. I highly recommend David.

    Andre S.

A Few of My Student Endorsements…

  • I just wanted to reach out and thank you so much for being the best professor. I was so nervous coming into this class because I didn't know if it was going to be for me. I ended up loving the class and the way you organized it was amazing. Thank you so much for everything.

    Isabella M.

  • I just wanted to thank you for everything you've done for me and this course. I've learned a lot of useful knowledge and have thoroughly enjoyed the lesson. The schedule, the deadlines, and the manner in which you handled everything made it so easy and stress-free. Thank you very much for all of your input on my assignments and for all of your announcements! Nothing you did went unnoticed, and I hope you realize how important you were to my education.

    Nora S.

  • In conclusion, this course was worth more to me than the grade I receive. My eyes have opened up and I now view the world as a different place. The information I learned in this class will stick with me after this course is over. I am now able to draw conclusions about values of different cultures, what goes into someone’s art, and encouraging creativity. I feel like these are the most important takeaways from this class.

    Chase D.

  • Dr. Hopkins I just want to say I’m so happy to have taken this class. I absolutely have enjoyed your lectures, and honestly want to continue learning more about humanities. You have really given me a great foundation to start, and I can’t wait to learn more. You really have made this class so interesting and not overwhelming. I can’t thank you enough.

    Jadira R.

  • It is rare to take a class and absorb as much as I did, but this was easily one of the most eye-opening classes I ever taken. I will carry some of the most unforgettable lessons with me forever. 

    Elizabeth P.

  • Learning humanities is going to help me in so many different areas of my life, I can’t wait. Having a new outlook on life and history and the future is going to be so amazing. Also, I did want to say thank you for challenging me to read. I hated to read and now that I have been doing it some every day, I feel more stress relived and less anxiety. Also helps me get to sleep at night so no more sleeping pills lol. My favorite part of the class was how you taught, lecture was real life.

    Alicia F.