<< Back to Faculty Ian H. Solomon Dean and Professor of Practice in Public Policy Garrett Hall Areas of focus Domestic Policy & Politics Leadership International and Global Affairs 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. As Batten’s dean since 2019, 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. In 2024, the University of Virginia appointed Solomon to a second term as dean. 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 Compassion in Action: Contemplative Science and Practice in the Classroom and the World News In March 2024, Batten School Dean Ian Solomon and professors Kirsten Gelsdorf and Abigail Scholer joined dozens of scholars and others from around the world in Dharamsala, India, to meet with the Dalai Lama and explore ways to bring contemplative science and practice into teaching, research, policymaking and leadership in all sectors. Dean Solomon, Professors Gelsdorf and Scholer to Meet with the Dalai Lama News Dean Ian Solomon and professors Kirsten Gelsdorf and Abigail Scholer will travel to Dharamsala next week with leaders from UVA’s Contemplative Sciences Center to spend a week with practitioners and researchers in the contemplative sciences from around the world. They will also have an audience with His Holiness the Dalai Lama. UVA Reappoints Ian Solomon as Dean of the Batten School News The University of Virginia has appointed Ian H. Solomon to a second term as dean of the Batten School, noting his many accomplishments during his first term, including growing and diversifying student enrollment, expanding Batten’s academic offerings, recruiting and retaining outstanding faculty, and strengthening the school’s overall foundation to ensure a successful future. Course Encourages Students To Incorporate Service Into Life After Grounds News Dean Solomon told students in a Democracy and Public Service course to be open to all methods of influencing their communities. “There is never just one bucket to draw from. For me, it’s important that action is aligned with my values.” He joined Melody Barnes of the UVA Karsh Institute of Democracy in teaching the course, a core requirement for UVA’s Public Service Pathways program. Raising the Bar for Human Development in Africa News Dean Solomon was in Tanzania recently to facilitate the kick-off panel of the African Human Capital Summit, which drew 1,000 people, including almost 100 African heads of state and ministers to delve into the issue of investing in youth education and other societal needs on the continent. Washington Post Journalist Jason Rezaian honored at Founder’s Day News Award-winning writer and former Washington Post bureau chief Jason Rezaian was officially awarded the Thomas Jefferson Foundation Medal in Citizen Leadership, the university’s highest external honor, on Thursday. The medal honors those whose work exemplifies Thomas Jefferson’s commitment to the duty and virtue of public service. Fridays at Batten: A Conversation with the Dean Event Join Dean Solomon for the kickoff of the new “Fridays at Batten” series! The dean will discuss the mission of the Batten School and what to expect this coming semester. Plan to share your thoughts and questions during an “Ask the Dean Anything” open session. Batten Showcase 2022: Leadership in Difficult Times ft. Ian Solomon News In this lecture, Dean of the Frank Batten School of Leadership and Public Policy and professor, Ian Solomon, shared from his experience and work how to lead in difficult times. Dean Solomon Shares the Batten School Approach to Leadership Education News Batten School Dean Ian Solomon shared with a crowd gathered for UVA's Lifetime Learning series the unique approaches utilized at the Batten School when preparing students for a future of public policy and leadership. View All
Compassion in Action: Contemplative Science and Practice in the Classroom and the World News In March 2024, Batten School Dean Ian Solomon and professors Kirsten Gelsdorf and Abigail Scholer joined dozens of scholars and others from around the world in Dharamsala, India, to meet with the Dalai Lama and explore ways to bring contemplative science and practice into teaching, research, policymaking and leadership in all sectors.
Dean Solomon, Professors Gelsdorf and Scholer to Meet with the Dalai Lama News Dean Ian Solomon and professors Kirsten Gelsdorf and Abigail Scholer will travel to Dharamsala next week with leaders from UVA’s Contemplative Sciences Center to spend a week with practitioners and researchers in the contemplative sciences from around the world. They will also have an audience with His Holiness the Dalai Lama.
UVA Reappoints Ian Solomon as Dean of the Batten School News The University of Virginia has appointed Ian H. Solomon to a second term as dean of the Batten School, noting his many accomplishments during his first term, including growing and diversifying student enrollment, expanding Batten’s academic offerings, recruiting and retaining outstanding faculty, and strengthening the school’s overall foundation to ensure a successful future.
Course Encourages Students To Incorporate Service Into Life After Grounds News Dean Solomon told students in a Democracy and Public Service course to be open to all methods of influencing their communities. “There is never just one bucket to draw from. For me, it’s important that action is aligned with my values.” He joined Melody Barnes of the UVA Karsh Institute of Democracy in teaching the course, a core requirement for UVA’s Public Service Pathways program.
Raising the Bar for Human Development in Africa News Dean Solomon was in Tanzania recently to facilitate the kick-off panel of the African Human Capital Summit, which drew 1,000 people, including almost 100 African heads of state and ministers to delve into the issue of investing in youth education and other societal needs on the continent.
Washington Post Journalist Jason Rezaian honored at Founder’s Day News Award-winning writer and former Washington Post bureau chief Jason Rezaian was officially awarded the Thomas Jefferson Foundation Medal in Citizen Leadership, the university’s highest external honor, on Thursday. The medal honors those whose work exemplifies Thomas Jefferson’s commitment to the duty and virtue of public service.
Fridays at Batten: A Conversation with the Dean Event Join Dean Solomon for the kickoff of the new “Fridays at Batten” series! The dean will discuss the mission of the Batten School and what to expect this coming semester. Plan to share your thoughts and questions during an “Ask the Dean Anything” open session.
Batten Showcase 2022: Leadership in Difficult Times ft. Ian Solomon News In this lecture, Dean of the Frank Batten School of Leadership and Public Policy and professor, Ian Solomon, shared from his experience and work how to lead in difficult times.
Dean Solomon Shares the Batten School Approach to Leadership Education News Batten School Dean Ian Solomon shared with a crowd gathered for UVA's Lifetime Learning series the unique approaches utilized at the Batten School when preparing students for a future of public policy and leadership.