The UC Davis Center for Regional Change, or CRC, is entering a new chapter, focused on renewing its mission and driving meaningful change for both the campus and the communities it serves. As part of this new direction, the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences (CA&ES) has appointed Professor Michael Rios to help guide the CRC’s framework. 

In his new role as faculty advisor, Rios will lead a year-long process to help refresh the CRC’s mission, clarify what the center offers to both academic and community partners, expand opportunities for faculty and students, identify untapped funding resources and enhance operations.

“One of the goals is to gather interest around the CRC, envision what it looks like moving forward and be able to, when done, have a strong mission that is supported by a community of faculty. This will set the stage to invite faculty from across the college to write the next chapter of the CRC in ways that is responsive to community and societal issues,” Rios said.

Rios has been with UC Davis since 2007, when he joined the faculty with the Department of Human Ecology. He’s currently a professor of landscape architecture and environmental design. Since 2019, he’s also been vice provost of public scholarship within the university’s Office of Public Scholarship and Engagement. Rios is a nationally recognized community engagement scholar and serves on the executive committee of the Association for Public Land-grant Universities’ Commission on Economic and Community Engagement.

Fostering greater faculty and community engagement

The CRC, a hub for innovative, collaborative and action-oriented research, conducts community-engaged research that focuses on social justice, sustainable development and transportation, among other key issues. Launched in 2007, the CRC brings together faculty and students from different disciplines and builds bridges between the university, policy, advocacy, business, philanthropy and other sectors that are committed to fostering healthy, equitable and sustainable regions in California and beyond.

CRC Executive Director Ahna Ballonoff Suleiman said she’s looking forward to working with Rios to strengthen the CRC’s engagement across campus with faculty and with local communities.

“We are excited and enthusiastic about the revision of the CRC’s work and feel that Michael is someone who can guide that process so that we can continue the great work of the CRC into the future,” Ballonoff Suleiman said.

Catherine Brinkley, associate professor of community and regional development, completed her three-year term as the CRC’s faculty director over the summer. Under her leadership, the CRC has created valuable tools, including an online database that helps communities access and compare the general plans for cities and counties in California, and spearheaded community programs, like the Yolo County Basic Income project that provides low-income families with a guaranteed monthly income to improve financial stability and well-being. A new report showcases the CRC’s work conducted between 2018-2023.

For Rios, the CRC's renewed mission is not just about refining its focus but also about amplifying the essential research already underway.

“There’s so much research that’s happening by our faculty that is community engaged and public facing, so I think it’s an opportunity to lift that up even further, bring greater visibility of impactful research to different audiences, and showcase how our college exemplifies the public land-grant mission,” Rios said.