Biography
Solano started as Assistant Provost of Institutional Equity and Community Engagement in June 2022. In this role he assists in the development and promotion of diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives throughout the University and its respective colleges and units as well as relationship building and strategic partnerships in the Salem/Keizer and Portland communities. Additionally, Solano chairs the university-wide DEI committee.Born and raised in Salem, graduating from Sprague High School, Solano graduated from Willamette in 2009 with a bachelor's degree in History and American Ethnic Studies. Solano was accepted into the Teach for America Corps and relocated to Los Angeles. He forever brings with him his experience as a former middle school history and language arts teacher and has served as assistant principal at Camino Nuevo Charter Academy, as dean of students at the ICEF Inglewood Middle Charter Academy, and as a corps member advisor and school director during Teach For America's summer institute. Prior to joining the Provost office Solano was the executive director of Willamette Academy, the university's out-of-school college access program, from 2016-2022.
Solano earned a master's degree in Urban Education: Policy and Administration from Loyola Marymount University and completed coursework through the National Academy of Advanced Teacher Education (NAATE). In 2021, he graduated with a Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership (Ed.D.) from Lewis & Clark College. His dissertation focused on how the experiences of White-passing biracial (Latinx/White) teachers influenced their personal and teacher identity, why they became teachers, and how their identity informs their teaching practice.