Favorite Parts of Working in Higher Education as an Assistant Provost, Institutional Equity
Emilio's career in education, from teaching to college access programs and now as Assistant Provost, Institutional Equity, has consistently centered on witnessing "students grow tremendously," a process Emilio finds deeply rewarding. The ability to be part of this growth, from freshman year to graduation and beyond, and to engage in collaborative problem-solving with students, forms the core of what Emilio enjoys most about higher education's role in "identity formation" and building engaged members of society.
Higher Education, Student Development, Institutional Equity, Mentorship, Higher Education Administration
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. Working in higher education allows for witnessing student growth from freshman year to graduation, including both positive and challenging experiences.
2. The role involves collaboration with students to address their concerns and find solutions, maintaining a student-centric perspective.
3. Higher education is viewed as crucial for identity development and shaping responsible members of society, making the work fulfilling and impactful.
Transcript
What do you enjoy most about your industry?
The industry is education broadly, and I could talk about that for days, about how much I love education, how much I love the students, and all that. But my particular space is higher education, which is a completely different beast.
When I was teaching, that was easy. You get enjoyment and energy from the students every day. When I was at the college access program, it was this really cool in-between. It was still focused on 8th through 12th graders, but there was this college piece.
We were on a college campus, talking about college, trying to get you to go to college, and helping with applications. There was this excitement that was consistently happening every year with that process. Now I'm the most separated from students that I've ever been.
But I think the thing that I enjoy about this industry is seeing students grow tremendously. From the moment they enter as freshmen to the moment they graduate, it's great to be a part of that growth through the good times and the bad. I was that student once who thought he knew it all.
It’s important to have that perspective and sit with students, talk through their frustrations, the problems they're identifying, or how we can work together to solve things. I don't lose that perspective, so I think when I do interact with students, I love that work.
Higher education is significant because I'm such a believer in what it does for identity formation and the type of members of society we're building. I believe in the ways we will engage with that society. That's a really exciting part.
Graduating students are going to get jobs or go to grad school. You see that next step. Sometimes, as an 8th-grade teacher, you don't always see that step. They go to high school, you might stay in contact, but you don't always know what really happens next. With college, you do.
I feel really blessed to be a part of that process and that moment in time for these students, and for faculty and staff as well.