A. Mario Rios Jr.

A. Mario Rios Jr., M.A., is a Senior Lecturer at the University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA) in the Department of Communication within the College of Liberal and Fine Arts. He combines his academic role with professional work as a Public Relations & Marketing Specialist for the San Antonio Independent School District (SAISD) and as owner/operator of RIO Video Productions, a company specializing in documentary-style video for marketing, training, and legal purposes.

• Education: M.A. in Mass Communications (Texas State University, 2004); B.A. in Political Science/Communications (UTSA, 1995); A.A. in Radio/TV/Film (Austin Community College, 1986)

Rios' research and practice focus on media production, journalism education, and public relations, with a strong emphasis on video storytelling. His work bridges academic theory with real-world applications in educational media and community engagement. His recent publications highlight practical contributions to institutional communication and marketing through video production.

Scientific Awards:

• Emmy Award for television news production
• Educator for Excellence Award (San Antonio Education Partnership)
• National Advisor Award (Dow Jones Newspaper Fund)
• Teacher of the Game (San Antonio Spurs)
• Who’s Who Among America’s Teachers (7/10 years)
• National Minority Advisor Award (American Society of Newspaper Educators)

As an educator, Rios has coached students to the UIL State Journalism tournament for six consecutive years, including a 2001 Class 5A state championship. His video production company serves diverse sectors, including legal, property, and news/feature documentaries.