Adrian Rios: Servant Leader

This RBC student values legacy building and putting the needs of others before his own.

By Sterling Giles

Second-year RBC student Adrian Rios has been legacy-focused from an early age.

“The legacy I would like to leave here is that I was a man of honor and respect—a man that cared for others and went above and beyond to provide for others,” Rios said.

He’s the first in his family to pursue higher education. He’s a resident assistant and he’s involved with faith and wellness events on campus. He was even recruited to the RBC soccer team, where he played for one season.

Funny enough, Rios, who hails from Puerto Rico, was a pen stroke away from attending VCU. But during his recruitment visit to RBC, the College’s homey atmosphere drew Rios in. He knew here he wouldn’t get lost in the shuffle and he would be embraced by the faculty, staff and his peers.

“They know you by your first name,” Rios said. “The small classroom sizes, residential living and overall family environment really caught my eye.”

The Barbershop Talk series—a collaboration between Rios and the RBC Office of Residence Life and one of Rios’ proudest achievements at RBC—creates a safe space for male students to share about their challenges in and out of the classroom.

“We let them know it’s okay to let your guard down,” Rios said. “It’s okay to not feel okay.”

As an RA, the second-year student uses his innate leadership skills to mentor and advise his peers, which is very rewarding for him.

“You get to be a role model and people really look up to that,” he said.

After he graduates from RBC, Rios plans to pursue a career in real estate. Aligning with his mission of serving others, this profession will help him facilitate family trajectories for generational wealth.