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.