James Kohland Hitt was born February 14, 1914 in Everest, Kansas to Mr. and Mrs. J.B. Hitt. He graduated from Hamlin Rural High School in 1930 and went on to earn two Mathematics degrees, a Bachelor's and Master's, at KU in 1934 and 1936, respectively. While a student at KU, Hitt was a Summerfield Scholar, ROTC member, and member of both Phi Beta Kappa and Kappa Sigma. He then taught math at both Dodge City Junior College and Wichita University before returning to KU in 1940 as Assistant Registrar.

Hitt took military leave from his position at KU in 1942 to serve in the army as a Second Lieutenant in the Philippines before returning in 1946. Upon his return, Hitt served many positions at KU: University Registrar, Director of Admissions, Director of the Office of Admission and Records, Associate Director of Institutional Research and Planning, and Special Assistant to the Chancellor. He retired from the university in 1977. Upon retirement, Hitt earned the title University Registrar Emeritus. Hitt is credited for beginning the transition of university records to a computerized system at KU, a precursor of the online enrollment system used today. He also served as president of the university registrar's professional organization, the American Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers, in 1965.

James Hitt married Bernadine Berkley (d. 1998), and their union produced two children, Alan B. Hitt and Nancy Hitt Clark (m. David Clark). Hitt died on January 14, 2011 at the age of 96.