Dean was tapped for the school's top job last month. The board's approval means Dean will take the post Aug. 1.

Dean, 52, has served as senior associate dean for academic affairs since 2007. He is a professor of organizational behavior and strategy and a Sarah Graham Kenan distinguished scholar.

He was associate dean of executive development from 2002 to 2007 and associate dean of the school's MBA program from 1998 to 2002.

Under Dean's leadership, the number of companies recruiting from the school's MBA program rose significantly. Revenue rose nearly 60 percent for nondegree programs such as continuing education for executives at Exxon, Duke Energy, Cisco, Nucor and other companies, according to UNC.

Dean has participated in research, teaching and consulting projects with major companies including Alcoa, Boeing, DuPont, GE and the U.S. Navy.

He was raised in the Washington area and earned doctorate and master's degrees from Carnegie Mellon University. He received a bachelor's in psychology from Catholic University.

Dean replaces Steve Jones, who had been dean since 2003.

Kenan-Flagler is known for programs designed with major companies in mind. It was recently ranked 17th among business schools by Business Week and sixth by The Wall Street Journal.