Commissioner Interview: Dr Antonio Ugues

Dr. Antonio (Tony) Ugues, Jr., chairs the MD Two Fifty civics working group. Raised in a Hispanic family, of Mexican descent, his family background influenced him to study political science and economics at California State University, Bakersfield. He was first in his family to attend and graduate from college, and attended graduate school at the University of California, Riverside. 

While completing his PhD, he searched nationwide for employment at a higher education research institution, and in 2013 found just the opportunity he was looking for at St. Mary’s College of Maryland. He spoke passionately of the importance of mentors in his educational career, who encouraged him to think out of the box. He shared that he grew up in a community without such role models, so mentors were critical to him as he developed as a professional.  He is particularly grateful for the opportunities he has had in public higher education, noting that he has met with people in other countries where education is limited due to resources. Having access to scholarships, grants and mentoring opportunities were integral in reaching his goals. 

He sees his role as Professor, Chair of the Political Science and Public Policy Department, and Director of the Center for Study of Democracy as a way to encourage students to think out of the box as they plan for their futures. 

The Center for the Study of Democracy is a joint partnership between St. Mary’s College of Maryland and Historic St. Mary’s City. St. Mary’s City is the birthplace of modern Maryland and the birthplace of religious freedom in America. It was the site where the first woman in the United States demanded the right to vote, Margaret Brent. It was also the site where the first person of African descent served in the legislature. The Center is built on these historical legacies. 

Dr. Ugues seeks to provide opportunities to study democracy through various lenses – history, economics, political science, arts and languages, as well as issues related to national security. The Center hosts workshops, lectures and forums specific to democracy and politics, and seeks to facilitate engagement and create conversations. Dr Ugues says that the objective is that in a democracy it is essential that citizens engage in a civil manner, the Center helps facilitate opportunities in democratic engagement. He believes that nationally we are facing a deficit in civic engagement and he hopes that the Center can do its part to help remedy this deficit. 

Dr. Ugues was honored to be considered for membership in the MD Two Fifty Commission, and was appointed as a public member of the Commission by Governor Wes Moore in 2023. He sees Commission membership as an opportunity to give back to his adopted home state. He appreciates that Maryland is embracing diversity and opportunity for all Marylanders. He hopes we can realize the principals enshrined in our founding documents and show how Maryland is leading the way in this commemoration.

Dr. Ugues encourages Marylanders to visit St. Mary’s City. The City is approaching its 400th birthday as the place where Maryland began in 1634. He shared that many Marylanders are not aware of the importance of St. Mary’s City in our history, and the events that happened there. The history of St. Mary’s City is important to our state and nation, and often overlooked. Most of all, he hopes that Marylander’s stay hopeful as the 250th approaches.