Dr. James P. Melcher – UMF professor, political analyst and advisor who balances supportive encouragement with intellectual challenge

Dr. James P. Melcher, University of Maine at Farmington Professor of Political Science and longtime adviser to students in the pre-law program came to UMF on the advice of a grad-school friend. He was looking for a quality, unspoiled college that valued teaching above all else and he found it in the foothills of Maine.

His father was the head of special education in Wisconsin, and that played a huge part in his love of learning. In his 25-plus years teaching at Farmington he has shared that enthusiasm for becoming all you can be with many young minds, helping countless students become college graduates and more than 40 young people enter the law profession.

Born and raised in Madison, Wisconsin, he received his undergraduate degree in Political Science and Geography from the University of Wisconsin and his Ph. D. in Philosophy and Political Science from the University of Minnesota.

A tenured faculty member who teaches Practical Politics, Constitutional Law and Civil Liberties, Dr. Melcher is also a dedicated advocate of civil discussion. His classes are known for lively and respectful debate where he both encourages and challenges his students.

And many students can be overheard saying, “You know, I didn’t expect this, but this was my favorite class this semester.”

In addition to his courses, he has supervised many student independent study projects, written dozens of scholarly articles, offered regular campus and community presentations on politics of the day topics and has presented an annual preview and review of the U.S. Supreme Court docket for the past 20 years.

He is a highly respected Maine political analyst who is called on repeatedly by state, national and international media outlets for his unbiased insight into the latest news, and his commentary has been featured by CNN, BBC, New York Times, The New Yorker, Maine Public, Portland Press Herald, The Lancet, Reuters, Maine broadcast outlets and many more.

He is the Maine representative on the Northeast Politics Roundtable, an award-winning, nationally recognized regional news talk program, which is, according to him, one of the biggest honors of his career.

“When I’m being quoted as an expert, I feel an obligation to not abuse my platform. I value the people more than the politics,” said Dr. Melcher.

All in all, he holds himself as an ambassador for UMF and his research and presentations are created to shine a light on all that Farmington can offer.

“Our students are here to find their path forward,” said Dr. Melcher. “ And I feel I was led to UMF to help them achieve that, no matter where they want to go, even after they’ve graduated, I’m here to help them.”

On a personal note, he loves hiking, traveling, singing in his church choir with his wife Nancy Finnegan, and a 20-year avocation for “Bookcrossing”—leaving books in a public place for a stranger to find and enjoy.

“Bookcrossing is a lot like teaching,” said Dr. Melcher.  “You send something off with your students, like a message in a bottle, believing they will be excited when they open it and use it to make a difference in their lives and the lives of others.”