James W. Dean Jr.

One of Kenan-Flagler’s own, James W. Dean Jr., will be the next dean of the school, pending approval by the University’s Board of Trustees.

The Board of Trustees meets July 24, and the appointment will take effect August 1.

Dean succeeds Steve Jones, who completes his term on July 31. Following a national search, Dean was recommended to Bernadette Gray-Little, executive vice chancellor and provost, and then-Chancellor James Moeser. School of Public Health Dean Barbara Rimer chaired the committee, which included faculty, staff, alumni and business leaders.

A member of the UNC Kenan-Flagler faculty since 1997, Dean is a professor of organizational behavior and strategy. His research, teaching and consulting are in the areas of leadership, organizational change, strategic decision making, international management, and organizational performance improvement.

He comes to the role with a long record of leadership at UNC Kenan-Flagler:

• Senior associate dean for academic affairs since July 1, 2007
• Associate dean of Executive Development from 2002-2007
• Associate dean of the MBA Program from 1998-2002

As associate dean for Executive Development, he increased the number and global reach of UNC’s non-degree programs, which are ranked among the world’s best. As associate dean of the MBA Program, Dean led an innovative curriculum redesign, created corporate advisory boards and developed a strong professional team to guide admissions, student services and career services.

Dean has participated in research, teaching and/or consulting projects with many companies, including ALCOA, Boeing, Corning, DuPont, ExxonMobil, GE, Honeywell and the U.S. Navy. He served as program director of the National Science Foundation research program, Transformations to Quality Organizations, and as an examiner for the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award.