Eleazar Trey Vasquez, III

Eleazar “Trey” Vasquez III. Ph.D. serves as an Operating Officer at the Achievement & Assessment Institute (AAI) at the University of Kansas, where he oversees strategic operations across AAI’s multi-center research enterprise. In this role, he advances cross-center integration, leads initiatives in IT modernization, AI policy, and workforce development, and supports organizational planning to sustain AAI’s research and service mission. Dr. Vasquez also holds a faculty appointment as Professor of Special Education in the School of Education and Human Sciences. His research explores how technology enhances academic and behavioral outcomes for students with disabilities, particularly in rural and underserved contexts. He has secured over $80 million in competitive external funding to support this work, contributing to national conversations on inclusive education, digital equity, and teacher preparation. His scholarship has been published in peer-reviewed journals and presented at state, national, and international conferences. A first-generation scholar and systems thinker, Dr. Vasquez bridges research and operations to create scalable, evidence-based solutions for complex educational challenges. His work reflects a commitment to interdisciplinary collaboration, innovation in assessment, and equitable access to high-quality learning opportunities.