Dean named president of the University of New Hampshire
Dean was unanimously selected to serve as the University of New Hampshire's 20th president after two decades at Carolina.
Former UNC-Chapel Hill Executive Vice Chancellor and Provost James W. Dean Jr. has been named the next president of the University of New Hampshire, effective June 30.
After a national search, the UNH University System board of trustees unanimously selected Dean to become the university’s 20th president, UNH announced Wednesday.
“I am deeply honored to have the opportunity to serve as president of UNH at a time when all public universities need to rethink our efforts to support the public through teaching, research and engagement,” said Dean. “The university has accomplished so much already in the classroom, the laboratory, and the community, and it is well-positioned to strengthen and even to redefine its role as a leading public research university.”
In announcing Dean as UNH’s next president, John Small, chair of the University System of New Hampshire board of trustees, said UNH is gaining an “experienced leader from one of the nation’s top public universities.”
“Jim is committed to and understands public higher education and the key role it plays in the state, the region and the nation,” said Small, who also headed the search committee. “He not only understands but embraces the importance and challenges of access, affordability, diversity and inclusion. He is also eager to bring his experience in leadership and building relationships with businesses to the university for the benefit of our students. Jim is thoughtful, approachable, visionary and an exceptional team builder – he will be an outstanding president for UNH.”
Dean stepped down as Carolina’s executive vice chancellor and provost in September 2017, after serving four years in the position. He was succeeded by Robert “Bob” Blouin, longtime dean of the UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy.
Dean was named provost after a highly successful 15-year tenure on the faculty and administration at the UNC Kenan-Flagler Business School; including serving five years as the dean from 2008 to 2013. He also served as senior associate dean from 2007 to 2008, associate dean of executive development from 2002 to 2007 and associate dean of the MBA Program from 1998 to 2002.
As UNC-Chapel Hill’s chief academic officer, Dean hired seven deans, helping 14 schools and the College of Arts and Sciences chart a strong course for the future. He bolstered faculty retention efforts to ensure Carolina has the very best people teaching and conducting research. Dean also led the campus-wide efforts for Carolina’s 10-year review process for reaccreditation with the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.
Along with other senior leaders, Dean collaborated on a cross-campus effort to strengthen student advising to better meet the needs of the diverse campus. With administrators in Finance and Operations, he began work to develop a new budget model to modernize the ways UNC-Chapel Hill allocates resources across campus.
