Department of Human Ecology

Michael Rios is professor of landscape architecture + environmental design in the Department of Human Ecology at UC Davis where is he is also a faculty member in the Community Development, Education, and Geography graduate programs. His scholarship focuses on higher education, community engagement, equitable design, and placemaking. He has authored or co-authored over 35 journal articles and book chapters and has co-edited several books, including Diálogos: Placemaking in Latino Communities (2013) and Community Development and Democratic Practice (2017). From 2019-2025, Rios served as vice provost of public scholarship, where he led university-wide efforts to recognize public scholarship in research and teaching, create community-engaged learning opportunities for students, and increase access to university resources for community partners.

Rios is co-founder of the University of California Community Engagement Network and served on the executive committee of the Association of Public Land-grant University’s Commission on Economic and Community Engagement. He was inducted in the Academy of Community Engagement Scholarship in 2024, served as president of the Association for Community Design (2002-05), and is co-recipient of the University of California’s inaugural Chancellor's Award for Community Partnerships (2002). Michael holds a bachelor’s degree in architecture and urban studies from Lehigh University, Master of Architecture and Master of City Planning degrees from the University of California, Berkeley, and a Ph.D. in political geography from Pennsylvania State University.