Faculty Profile: James T. McHugh

Professor of Political Science
Chair, Department of Political Science

Contact Information:
201 Olin Hall
Akron, Ohio 44325-1904
330.972.7409
mchugh@uakron.edu

B.A, University of Vermont: History, Political Science, Area and International Studies
M.Litt., University of Edinburgh: History
Ph.D., Queen’s University: Political Studies
Certificate in Public Administration, Roosevelt University: Non-Profit Management

James T. (“Jim”) McHugh is Professor of Political Science and Chair of the department. Prior to coming to Akron, he taught at Roosevelt University in Chicago, where he enjoyed the distinction of being the youngest person ever promoted to the rank of full professor. While at Roosevelt, he served as Director of the interdisciplinary Legal Studies program and helped reorganize the interdisciplinary International Studies program. He also spent a year as a Visiting Professor at American University, serving directly under that university’s Vice-President for International Affairs as Associate Director of the Center for North American Studies. He earned his bachelor’s degree in history, political science, and area and international studies (with concentrations in music, comparative religion, and French) at the University of Vermont and a master’s degree in history from the University of Edinburgh in Scotland prior to returning to the study of political science at Queen’s University in Kingston, Ontario, where he earned his doctorate. He also served as an infantry officer in the United States Army and Army Reserve, including as a platoon leader in the Tenth Mountain Division.

Jim McHugh is a fourth-generation native of Vermont and has a strong devotion to his native state and native region of New England. His scholarship focuses upon political philosophy, public law, and comparative politics, particularly the study of Canada and North America. He currently serves as the Secretary-Treasurer of the Association for Canadian Studies in the United States and is the Editor-in-Chief of The New England Journal of Political Science. He is a percussionist with experience in both rock and classical music. He loves to play music, basketball, and poker but not necessarily in that order. With apologies to all of the Cavaliers fans in the area, he also is a die-hard supporter of the Boston Celtics.