Dr. Ríos serves in a number of departmental, college and university committees. Her service activities include professional associations at the regional, national and international levels. She is involved in several community service organizations. Students, colleagues and the community have praised her commitment to student learning, her collegiality, and her service to the university and the community.

Dr. Ríos is currently a member of the Lamar University Faculty Senate and a member of the Academic Issues Committee of the Faculty Senate.

She is also a member of the Editorial Review Board of The National Journal of Urban Education & Practice as well as a Board Member of the International Research and Review: Journal of Phi Beta Delta, Honor Society of International Scholars.

The National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Accreditation recognized Dr. Ríos’ years of service as a member of the Board of Examiners. As a member of the NCATE Board of Examiners, Dr. Ríos participated in accreditation visits to teacher colleges in Oklahoma, Georgia, North Carolina, New York, Minnesota, Texas, Pennsylvania and Florida. She was invited by NCATE to be an evaluator for the Reading First Teacher Education Network Project. She also has expertise in CAEP accreditation.

Community service is at the heart of Dr. Ríos’ endeavors. She has obtained grants to develop educational programs for the Latino community. She collaborated with the Notre Dame Institute for Latino Studies and the Mexican Department of Education to establish a “Plaza Comunitaria” and two computer laboratories in South Bend, Ind., where parents of English language learners and other members of the community could further their education.