College Experiences That Helped An Assistant Provost, Institutional Equity At Willamette University Succeed
Emilio's undergraduate success stemmed from broad involvement—"I was everywhere"—cultivating diverse relationships and embracing multiple identities, from baseball to activism to fraternity membership. This fostered strong professor connections, leading to career opportunities, illustrating the value of diverse engagement and relationship-building in shaping a fulfilling and successful career path.
Leadership, Higher Education, Community Engagement, Networking, Mentorship
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. Get involved in diverse campus activities: Join clubs, sports teams, student government, or volunteer to gain experience and build relationships.
2. Build strong relationships with professors and peers: These connections can lead to mentorship opportunities and future career support.
3. Embrace your multiple identities and experiences: Colleges offer various spaces for students to belong and grow. Don't be afraid to explore different communities and activities that align with your interests.
Transcript
What did you do in undergrad that helped set you up for success in your career?
I was very involved on campus. I was on the baseball team, served in student government for a couple of years, and was part of a council on diversity and social justice. This council emerged largely from protests, so I was active in classic college activism.
I was also in a fraternity and worked as a tutor and mentor for a college access program. I really wanted to be involved, but not in ways that overstretched myself. I was part of the Latino Club, which provided a necessary community for me.
I wanted to connect with communities and spaces that were of interest to me and supportive of me. Even as a fraternity member who was also engaged in activism, I felt it was important to do both. It allowed me to show that we are not just one thing; our identities are fluid and ever-evolving. We can have multiple intersecting identities and experiences on a college campus.
Having these multiple spaces where I felt I belonged created a much more enjoyable college experience. It's one of the reasons I came back to work here. These experiences also translated into relationships with professors and friends.
Now, I work with people who once taught me. I'm in the Provost's office, and some of my former professors are still teaching. It’s a really interesting dynamic.
The reason I returned to Willamette is because some professors reached out. They mentioned that the executive director job for the Willamette Academy had opened up and that I was on the hiring committee. They encouraged me to apply, even though I thought I wouldn't get it as a middle school teacher.
That encouragement has been a consistent theme throughout my career. It helped me grow from a teacher to an administrator and now into a higher education professional.
I think it's important to experience as much diversity as possible on campus, in a broad sense. This includes jobs, volunteer work, and clubs, as well as building relationships. I emphasize the relational aspect because I believe it's so important. It has truly made a difference in my success as a teacher, in various jobs I've had, and certainly since returning to Willamette in different roles.