Tribal/team challenge record (3-for-11):

• Island of the Idols Ep. 1 RC/IC: "Tower of Equality" - Part of the human ladder, helps work the puzzle, but Lairo loses.
• Island of the Idols Ep. 2 RC/IC: "Rung-O Star" - Helps carry and steady the ladder, and Lairo wins.
• Island of the Idols Ep. 3 RC/IC: "Beam Me Up" - Works the puzzle with Karishma, but Lairo loses.
• Island of the Idols Ep. 4 RC/IC: "Ow Pairs" - Tethered to Chelsea, eventually gets a key, and Lairo loses.
• Island of the Idols Ep. 5 RC: "Headlong Flight" - Tethered to Jack, slithers well, but Lairo loses.
• Island of the Idols Ep. 5 IC: "Discography" - Makes two shots to catch up, but can't hit the third; Lairo loses.
• Island of the Idols Ep. 6 RC: "Heroes End" - Helps carry the sled, move sandbags, but Lairo loses again.
• Island of the Idols Ep. 6 IC: "Cage Against the Machine" - Hits the fifth and final basket for Lairo, and Lairo wins!
• Island of the Idols Ep. 7 IC: "Faulty Towers" - Shoots coconuts, but Lairo barely loses on the puzzle.
• [Island of the Idols Ep. 9 RC: "Raise the Roof" - (unaired) Holds up sandbags as part of the winning team.]
• Island of the Idols Ep. 12 RC: "Full Tilt Affair" - Paired with Elaine, they reach the final stage, but do not win.

Individual challenge record (2-for-9; 1 sit-out): (Mean % finish: 57.2%)

• Island of the Idols Ep. 8 IC: "Pegs Over Easy" - Fourth person to drop out, fairly quickly (11th/13)
• Island of the Idols Ep. 9 IC: "I Hold On" - Third man to drop out, lasts over 5 minutes (3rd/5).
• Island of the Idols Ep. 10 IC: "We Will Go Round" - Final person out from purple team (2nd/6).
• Island of the Idols Ep. 11 IC: "Crocodile Rock" - Sat out to eat, instead of competing (tie-9th/9).
• Island of the Idols Ep. 12 IC: "Ballin' A Jack" - First person to drop out (8th/8).
• [Island of the Idols Ep. 13 RC: (Unaired) - Has a lead until the sandbag stage, but does not win (2nd/7).]
• Island of the Idols Ep. 13 IC: "Dizzy Miss Lizzy" - Races to complete the word puzzle, and Dean wins (1st/7).
• Island of the Idols Ep. 14 F5 IC: "Born to Rung" - Passes Tommy, places both balls, and Dean wins! (1st/6).
• Island of the Idols Ep. 14 F4 IC: "You Shook Me" - In a tight race with Noura, but does not win (tie-2nd/4).

Redemption/Exile Island duel record (0-for-0):

• Island of the Idols: None yet.

Idols found/played (1/1; 5 votes voided) | Advantages held/played (1/1; 4 votes un-voided):

• Island of the Idols, Ep. 7: Kellee gives her idol to Dean, tells him to play it for himself. He does, voiding five votes and saving himself (Day 19).
• Island of the Idols, Ep. 13: Wins an idol nullifier on a coin flip at Island of the Idols (Day 34).
• Island of the Idols, Ep. 14: Finds an idol in the shelter at Island of the Idols (Day 36). Does not end up playing it.
• Island of the Idols, Ep. 14: Plays his idol nullifier against Janet, re-activating four votes, booting her (Day 36).

VFB - Votes for the person booted (8/12):

• Island of the Idols, Ep. 1: Ronnie Bardah (voted out, 7-2).
• Island of the Idols, Ep. 7: Jack Nichting (idoled out, [0]-2).
• Island of the Idols, Ep. 8: Kellee Kim (voted out, 8-5).
• Island of the Idols, Ep. 9: Jamal Shipman (voted out, 5-3-[0]).
• Island of the Idols, Ep. 10: Aaron Meredith (voted out, 5-1).
• Island of the Idols, Ep. 12: Karishma Patel (voted out, 5-3).
• Island of the Idols, Ep. 13: Elaine Stott (voted out, 5-2).
• Island of the Idols, Ep. 14: Janet Carbin (voted out, 4-1).

VAP - Votes against (0):

• [Island of the Idols, Ep. 7: Five votes, from Jack, Jamal, Janet, Karishma, and Kellee, all voided by the idol play.]

Jury votes received (2/10):

• Island of the Idols, Ep. 14: Received two votes, from Aaron Meredith and Elizabeth Beisel, to finish second (8-2-0).

Pre-game interviews

• Josh Wigler at RHAP (9/11/19): "Survivor 39 Preseason Interviews: Lairo Tribe - Part 1"
• Mike Bloom at Parade.com (9/19/19): "Survivor Island of the Idols: Meet Dean Kowalski"

Post-game interviews

• Dalton Ross at EW.com (12/19/19): "Dean Kowalski reveals why he was doomed at final Tribal Council"
• Mike Bloom at Parade.com (12/19/19): "Dean Kowalski Goes from Chill to Thrilled to Getting Grilled"
• Rob Cesternino at RHAP (12/19/19): "Survivor 39 FINALE Exit Interviews with the Final 5 + Kellee Kim"

Official CBS Island of the Idols bio excerpts (September 9, 2019):

"Pet peeves: People honking in dead-stop traffic, people from the back pushing up a couple rows upon airplane landing, and roommates leaving dirty dishes in the sink for a prolonged period of time.

What accomplishment are you most proud of? Achieving the highest success rate of all Miami Algebra 1 teachers for students passing the end of year exam.

Who or what is your inspiration in life?Shirley Manzanares. Shirley was one of my 9th grade Algebra 1 students in my first year teaching. Shirley was an A+ student and the most respectful and loving soul. What you didn't see was her two jobs to help pay for prom, her caring for her two younger siblings while her mom worked at night, and her dedication to community service. Shirley will be the first in her family to attend college.

What's one thing we wouldn't know from seeing a photo of you? I have recently grown to appreciate astronomy, physics, and our place in the universe.

Which Survivor contestant are you most like? Wendell for his quiet leadership.

Why do you think you'll "survive" Survivor? Self-awareness is one of the most important leadership characteristics. My social intelligence will allow me to read when to go big and when to fall back. I strongly believe in my ability to get along with and be liked by a variety of different people. This will allow me to build strong, diverse alliances. Additionally, my athletic and puzzle abilities will make me a threat within challenges. My experience working in sales will fuel my persuasion within my alliances."