Desdamona Rios

Desdamona Rios, Ph.D., serves as Associate Professor of Psychology and Director of the Latina/o and Latin American Studies (LLAS) program at the University of Houston-Clear Lake's College of Human Sciences and Humanities.

Education:

• Joint Doctorate in Psychology and Women’s Studies, University of Michigan

Research Focus: Dr. Rios investigates culturally relevant cues in academic contexts for at-risk Latinx American high school students and develops community-based after-school enrichment programs for children of color. Her interdisciplinary work bridges Social Psychology, Latina/o Studies, and Educational Psychology to address systemic educational disparities through culturally responsive frameworks.

Awards and Recognition:

• American Psychological Association for the Teaching of Psychology (Division 2) Teaching Award
• Society for the Psychological Study of Social Issues (Division 9) Teaching Award
• Association for Women in Psychology (Division 35) Teaching Award
• Legacy Award for work with underrepresented groups in academia

Community Engagement: Dr. Rios serves on the board of directors for Initiatives for Healthy Communities, a Houston-based non-profit operating after-school educational programs in government-subsidized housing communities within Houston’s Fifth Ward, directly applying her research to underserved populations.