Michael Rios was appointed Vice Provost of Public Scholarship at UC Davis in July 2019. He leads university-wide collaborative 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.
 
With more than 20 years of community-based research, teaching and practice, he has collaborated with numerous public agencies, municipalities and community groups. Michael has been recognized for these efforts, including the Association for Community Design Service Award (2005); the Prize for Creative Integration of Practice and Education from the National Council of Architectural Registration Boards (2003); and the University of California Chancellor's Award for Community Partnerships (2000). He was inducted as a member of The Academy of Community Engagement Scholarship in 2024.
 
A faculty member since 2007, Michael is a professor in the Department of Human Ecology and faculty member in the Community Development, Education and Geography graduate programs. Michael’s scholarship focuses on institutional change in higher education, community engagement and community-driven placemaking. He has authored or co-authored over twenty 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). Michael is co-founder of the University of California Community Engagement Network and is currently serving a three-year term (2024-2027) on the executive committee of the Association of Public Land-grant University’s Commission on Economic and Community Engagement.