Career Path of an Assistant Provost Institutional Equity at Willamette University
Emilio's career path, beginning with college roles like "summer camp counselor" and a state capitol internship, evolved through Teach for America in Los Angeles where "education...was everything" they ever wanted. This led to a return to Willamette University, first as executive director of a college access program, then to a newly created role as Assistant Provost for Institutional Equity and Community Engagement, leveraging strong existing relationships and diverse experiences in education and community impact.
Education, Leadership, Higher Education Administration, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, Nonprofit
Advizer Information
Name
Job Title
Company
Undergrad
Grad Programs
Majors
Industries
Job Functions
Traits
Emilio Solano
Assistant Provost, Institutional Equity
Willamette University
Willamette University, 2009
Loyola Marymount University, Master of Arts, Urban Education: Policy & Administration and Lewis & Clark College, Doctorate of Education, Education Leadership
History, Art History
Education
Education
Honors Student, Scholarship Recipient, Took Out Loans, Greek Life Member, Student Athlete
Video Highlights
1. Emilio's career path demonstrates the value of diverse experiences. From summer jobs in government and education to teaching in Teach for America, he built a strong foundation across various sectors. This highlights the benefit of exploring different fields to find your passion and transferable skills.
2. His transition from teaching to leading the Willamette Academy program showcases career progression through internal advancement and building strong professional relationships. This emphasizes the importance of networking and identifying growth opportunities within an organization.
3. Emilio's current role as Assistant Provost for Institutional Equity and Community Engagement was created in response to his expertise. This exemplifies how specialized skills and experience in areas like diversity, equity, and inclusion can lead to the creation of new leadership positions. It is a testament to how passion and dedication in a field can lead to career advancement and growth.
Transcript
Could you walk me through your career path, starting with your experiences in college? Did you have any internships or jobs before your current role?
Starting with college, I worked for a college access program called Willamette Academy as an undergrad. I was a summer camp counselor situated at the University. It was convenient because my younger brother was in the program, and I had known it for years that way.
I started as a summer camp counselor my freshman year and then tutored and mentored throughout that time. I spent summers coaching baseball, as I played baseball in college. I also spent one summer across the street at the state capitol, working for the Senate when they were in session. This gave me a lot of varied experience, from government to educational work.
When it came time for after college, a Teach for America recruiter met with me. They talked about my leadership experience and pitched why they thought I should apply for Teach for America. I ended up doing it. At that point, I thought I would be a lawyer, a civil rights attorney, and had it all figured out.
But I got into Teach for America and went to Los Angeles. On my first day teaching summer school at the institute, I realized education was my calling. It was incredible; the students are incredible. I was hooked from that point on.
I ended up teaching in Los Angeles at a couple of different spots for six years, teaching history and English. I was an eighth-grade middle school teacher, taught a little PE, and I think I also said English and history. I taught science for one year and did a little bit of everything. I was also a dean of students at one point.
In my last year in L.A., I served as an assistant principal for about four months before being offered another job. This was to return to the college access program I had worked for in college. They asked me to be the new executive director and help rebuild the program.
So, I left L.A. and moved back to Salem, Oregon, where I was born and raised. I returned to Willamette University to take over the Willamette Academy College Access program. I was there for about six years.
I was ready for a new challenge and had developed many strong relationships at Willamette. I was looking to do something in consulting, perhaps diversity, equity, and inclusion or education consulting. I had gained a lot of experience in social corporate responsibility and social community impact.
But the university approached me with a job offer, asking me to stay. They created a new role for me: the assistant provost for institutional equity and community engagement. This was a gap they had identified, and they felt I was the right person to take it on.
I had to make a decision: pursue opportunities outside of education in consulting, or stay where I had strong relationships. I chose to stay because I knew I would have patience as I figured out this new role. Now, I lead all of our equity work across the different colleges that make up Willamette University.