<< Back to Faculty Ian H. Solomon Dean and Professor of Practice of Public Policy Garrett Hall 200 Areas of focus Leadership Ian H. Solomon is dean of the Frank Batten School of Leadership and Public Policy, where he leads a multidisciplinary faculty of scholars and practitioners who are committed to creating new knowledge, developing ethical and effective leaders, and advancing solutions to humanity’s greatest policy challenges. Trained as a lawyer, Solomon is a devoted student and teacher of both negotiation and conflict resolution. Over the course of his career, he has dedicated himself to improving the lives of people across the globe by integrating insights from his experiences in higher education, government, the private sector, and international organizations. For four years, Solomon served in the U.S. Senate as legislative counsel to then-Senator Barack Obama. Later, under the Obama administration, he was confirmed unanimously by Congress as the U.S. executive director for the World Bank Group, where he championed private-sector development in Africa and negotiated a range of multi-stakeholder agreements. Solomon has also been a consultant with Mckinsey & Company, an associate dean and visiting lecturer at Yale Law School, and a vice president and lecturer in law at the University of Chicago. Before joining the Batten School, he led his own international consulting practice focused on conflict and collaboration. Now, as Batten’s dean, he aims to cultivate the kind of effective leadership the world needs: curious, evidence-based, empathetic, and equipped to serve our diverse and rapidly changing world. Originally from New York City, Solomon earned his AB from Harvard University and his JD from Yale Law School. He is a member of the Council on Foreign Relations and has traveled and worked extensively in Africa, Asia, Europe, and Latin America. Today, he lives with his family on the Grounds of the University of Virginia in Charlottesville. Related Content Batten Hour: A Welcome Back Conversation with Dean Solomon and Members of the Batten Community Event In the first Batten Hour of the semester, join Dean Solomon and Batten faculty for a community conversation. Stay tuned for additional details. MLK’s Words, Our Voices: A Batten School Collective Reading Event In recognition of Martin Luther King Jr. Day on Monday, Jan. 18, please join Dean Ian Solomon, Associate Professor of Public Policy Paul Martin, and Social Equity Advisor Marrissa Jones for a virtual MLK community reading and dialogue. Democracy in Danger News On the latest episode of a new podcast from UVA’s Deliberative Media Lab, Dean Ian Solomon joined experts in policy, history, and media to discuss ongoing threats to our democratic system. "Leadership Across Difference" with Ian Solomon and Risa Goluboff Event The UVA Jewish Studies Program will host Dean Ian Solomon and UVA School of Law Dean Risa Goluboff in a conversation with Professor James Loeffler about Jewish values and commitments in American public life. Democracy in Danger Podcast Series Live Broadcast: "Aftermath: Democracy in the Wake of 2020" Event Join Siva and Will for a live recording of Democracy in Danger, a new podcast from UVA's Deliberative Media Lab. On Words: Leadership News Ahead of Election Day, Dean Ian Solomon writes about how leadership can heal during times of political division for UVAToday's "On Words" series. Virtual Meditation on the Lawn with Dean Solomon Event As the coronavirus pandemic continues to take its toll on the well-being of all members of our community, it is even more crucial that we continue to find regular moments of peace, reflection, and contemplative connection with each other. Join us as Dean Solomon leads a five minute meditation for the UVA and Charlottesville community. Virtual Batten Hour: Civil Rights, Religious Freedom, and the Politics of Social Change with Anurima Bhargava, Vice Chair of the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom Event Join us for a conversation between Anurima Bhargava, Vice Chair of the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom, and Ian Solomon, dean of the Frank Batten School of Leadership and Public Policy. Virtual Batten Hour with Dean Ian Solomon Event Join us for the first Batten Hour of the year featuring a discussion with Dean Ian Solomon and student community members. More details to come. Join the conversation via Zoom. View All
Batten Hour: A Welcome Back Conversation with Dean Solomon and Members of the Batten Community Event In the first Batten Hour of the semester, join Dean Solomon and Batten faculty for a community conversation. Stay tuned for additional details.
MLK’s Words, Our Voices: A Batten School Collective Reading Event In recognition of Martin Luther King Jr. Day on Monday, Jan. 18, please join Dean Ian Solomon, Associate Professor of Public Policy Paul Martin, and Social Equity Advisor Marrissa Jones for a virtual MLK community reading and dialogue.
Democracy in Danger News On the latest episode of a new podcast from UVA’s Deliberative Media Lab, Dean Ian Solomon joined experts in policy, history, and media to discuss ongoing threats to our democratic system.
"Leadership Across Difference" with Ian Solomon and Risa Goluboff Event The UVA Jewish Studies Program will host Dean Ian Solomon and UVA School of Law Dean Risa Goluboff in a conversation with Professor James Loeffler about Jewish values and commitments in American public life.
Democracy in Danger Podcast Series Live Broadcast: "Aftermath: Democracy in the Wake of 2020" Event Join Siva and Will for a live recording of Democracy in Danger, a new podcast from UVA's Deliberative Media Lab.
On Words: Leadership News Ahead of Election Day, Dean Ian Solomon writes about how leadership can heal during times of political division for UVAToday's "On Words" series.
Virtual Meditation on the Lawn with Dean Solomon Event As the coronavirus pandemic continues to take its toll on the well-being of all members of our community, it is even more crucial that we continue to find regular moments of peace, reflection, and contemplative connection with each other. Join us as Dean Solomon leads a five minute meditation for the UVA and Charlottesville community.
Virtual Batten Hour: Civil Rights, Religious Freedom, and the Politics of Social Change with Anurima Bhargava, Vice Chair of the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom Event Join us for a conversation between Anurima Bhargava, Vice Chair of the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom, and Ian Solomon, dean of the Frank Batten School of Leadership and Public Policy.
Virtual Batten Hour with Dean Ian Solomon Event Join us for the first Batten Hour of the year featuring a discussion with Dean Ian Solomon and student community members. More details to come. Join the conversation via Zoom.