Political Science at UWindsor

Norman Villegas

This is one in a series of testimonials from Political Science and International Relations graduates and how they've put their degrees to work.

For more on our current students and alumni, please visit our Students and Alumni page.

Norm VillegasNorman Villegas began his studies at the University of Windsor in 1997 and completed his Honours BA in International Relations in 2001.  While at Windsor, Norman spent a semester studying abroad in Russia and was actively involved in the International Relations Society, the Filipino Students’ Association, and the Ukrainian Students’ Association.  In his fourth year, he was elected to the Political Science departmental council.  He decided to pursue his master’s degree at the University of Ottawa and moved to the nation’s capital in August 2001.  With the education he received from the University of Windsor, while still pursuing his master’s degree, he was elected to the Executive Committee of the Canadian Commission for UNESCO (CCU) as its first Youth Observer.  In September 2003, he was given the honour of representing Canada and defending its positions at the youth forum of the UNESCO General Meeting in Paris, France.  Following his two-year term with the CCU, Norman interned with the Foundation for the Study of Processes of Government in Canada and with Presidential Classroom for Young Americans in Washington, DC.  As a student, Norman also worked at the Parliament of Canada, the Beaumont-Hamel Newfoundland Memorial, and the Canadian National Vimy Memorial in France. 

Upon completing his master’s degree, Norman began working as a Legislative Assistant to a Canadian Senator.  His career with the Public Service began shortly thereafter at the Department of Indian Affairs and Northern Development as a Parliamentary Relations Officer.  He was then promoted and offered a position at the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade as its Senate specialist and Parliamentary Association liaison.  Norman received yet another promotion and returned to the Department of Indian Affairs and Northern Development, where he currently works as Senior Parliamentary Relations Advisor.  On a day to day basis, Norman liaises with senior management, the Minister’s Office, the Privy Council Office and the Parliament of Canada.  Norman says that “the analytical abilities and critical thinking skills” he developed while in the International Relations program at Windsor “opened up unique international opportunities and served me well for both my graduate studies and career in the public service.”