John Soloski served as the eleventh director of the University of Iowa’s School of Journalism and Mass Communication (SJMC) from 1996 to 2001. During his tenure, he contributed to the school’s development and academic programs.

Soloski spent his entire professional career at the University of Iowa, earning an M.A. in Journalism (1974) and a Ph.D. in Mass Communication (1976) before joining the School of Journalism in 1978 as a professor, where he was later appointed director. Soloki was named the school’s first Daniel and Amy Strch professor of journalism and was known for fostering relationships among the school, alumni, and media professionals.

Soloski’s academic interests included mass communication, communication theory, journalism, media studies, and media management. He has published research on topics such as CEO compensation in newspaper companies, the ownership structures of journalistic enterprises, and the financial challenges faced by the U.S. newspaper industry. His work has contributed to the understanding of the economic and organizational aspects of journalism.

He is also credited with scouting a building relocation for the School of Journalism from the Communications Center building to one north of the Main Library (later to be decided as Seashore Hall in 1997).

Following his time at Iowa, Soloski continued his academic career at the University of Georgia, where he became a professor and dean in the Department of Journalism.