Professor J.J. Vazquez
J. J. Vazquez, assistant professor in the School of Film, has been awarded the 2026 Dean’s Council Award for Research, Scholarship and Creativity.
The award, funded by the College of the Arts Dean’s Council through the Dean's Fund for Opportunities and Excellence, is given annually to a member of the faculty in the College of the Arts who demonstrates significant contributions to research, scholarship and/or creative activity at the national or international level.
Vazquez is an accomplished director, producer and educator whose professional work spans documentary, commercial and experimental media, often collaborating with nonprofit organizations and community partners to illuminate cultural inequities and underrepresented narratives.
Since joining the School of Film in 2019, he has made an impact on the School’s cinematography curriculum and brought expertise in producing and camera work. He has pioneered the livestreaming of Track and Field events and has collaborated with ESPN, providing his multicamera sports streaming expertise while giving students the opportunity to gain these in-demand skills through direct experience. His work also includes producing podcasts and YouTube content as part of his scholarship in the areas of both comics and Track and Field broadcasting. He produces the YouTube series “Tracklandia,” a talk show focusing on topics related to Track and Field, and the popular “Dreamer Comics” podcast, which features interviews with independent comics creators. His deep expertise in the art of comics is also clearly evident in his service as a core faculty member and interim director of the Comic Studies certificate, and his leadership of the 2025 Comics Confluence Festival, which drew well-known creators and hundreds of comic enthusiasts in its first year. The second annual Comics Confluence Festival is scheduled for May 16.
His directorial work includes the recent film Tokyo Strides, filmed in Japan, which tells the story of a runner who becomes obsessed with her online presence and is haunted by a shadowy figure, which symbolizes her anxiety over her digital relevance. The film has been noted for its examination of the irresistible pull of social media and the endless drive for clicks, views and shares as a way to measure one’s worth.
In 2025, Vazquez was selected as one of three LAIKA fellows, as part of the inaugural cohort of a new partnership with the esteemed stop-motion animation studio – an experience that has only deepened his creative connections to the industry and brought additional expertise and resources to the school.
“Professor Vazquez’s mentorship of students, collaborative projects, and public-facing creative work enrich the School’s creative culture, while modeling how scholarship and creative activity can extend well beyond the classroom,” wrote Dr. Kristin Hole, director of the School of Film. “He has established himself professionally, pedagogically, and creatively as an invaluable member of Portland State University.”
Professor Vazquez’s portfolio “reflects creativity and clear communication of complex societal issues. He is also recognized as an inspiring teacher,” the selection committee wrote in making their recommendation.
Vazquez has additionally been recognized as the College of the Arts Researcher of the Year for 2026, as part of PSU’s annual Research Week, May 4 - 8, during which the university’s Research Awards recognize faculty members who have shown extraordinary dedication to their fields and have gone above and beyond in their research, scholarship, creativity, and commitment to the success of PSU students. Recipients of the awards are nominated by their colleagues and selected by a jury of their peers.
"J.J. embodies the spirit of these awards through his exceptional ability to successfully connect high-level industry practice with creative scholarship,” said Leroy Bynum, Jr., dean of the College of the Arts. “From his expertise in sports broadcasting and comics to his work with LAIKA, J.J. operates at a level of excellence that resonates nationally. His recognition as both the Dean’s Council Award recipient and our Researcher of the Year is a testament to his unique ability to turn professional expertise into transformative opportunities for our students – truly modeling the future of film and media education."