Charles S. Suchar, Ph.D.
Dean, College of Liberal Arts and Sciences
Charles "Chuck" S. Suchar was appointed dean of the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences (LA&S) March 28, 2006. Prior to assuming the five -year post, Suchar served as interim dean of the college for one year. His tenure as an LA&S officer includes 13 years as an associate dean. A professor of sociology, Suchar brings to the deanship an extensive background in teaching and academic administration marked by a special interest in program development at the undergraduate and graduate levels. He has served DePaul for 35 years in key roles within and outside of LA&S.
As an associate dean, Suchar's responsibilities called for overseeing the college's graduate programs and general education for undergraduate students at DePaul. For nine years, he chaired the LA&S curriculum committee, and for almost as long, he has overseen the new faculty seminar, which acculturates tenure-track faculty to the university.
Suchar's innovation and vision are exemplified in his creation of the Discover Chicago Program, a first-year experiential learning program that immerses freshmen in the richness and diversity that Chicago offers. It has been modeled at colleges and universities around the country. Founded more than a decade ago, the successful program has proved instrumental in the creation of the Focal Point Seminar and Explore Chicago programs, which are designed to expose incoming freshmen to broad-ranging academic experiences. Suchar's responsibilities as associate dean also called for his chairing and co-chairing committees to create new graduate programs in LA&S.
"Chuck is ready for the challenge and relishes the opportunity to lead colleagues he has known and respected for many years," said DePaul Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs Helmut P. Epp at the time of Suchar's appointment. "[He] is imaginative and creative and has demonstrated an ability to implement a vision. That was critical in my decision."
In his new role, Suchar's top priority is to work closely with LA&S department chairs and program directors to implement the university's new strategic plan for academic excellence, VISION twenty12. Plans call for improving advising and student services and contributing to selective enrollment as it relates to the strategic plan. New LA&S programs on the horizon include a master's in public health, possible programs in natural and life sciences and biotechnology, an expansion of the social sciences and a reorganization of the humanities.
An alumnus of DePaul, Suchar received his undergraduate degree in sociology in 1967. He earned both his master's and doctoral degrees in sociology from Northwestern University and was awarded the National Science Foundation Post-Doctorate Fellowship to attend the Sociological Institute of the University of Amsterdam in 1975-76. His outstanding career at DePaul has resulted in numerous citations, including a St. Vincent de Paul Professorship (2004), the Spirit of DePaul Award (1999), a Public Service Award (1997), the College of LA&S Excellence in Teaching Award (1996) and the Sears-Roebuck Teaching Excellence and Campus Leadership Awards (1996).
His published works include chapters/articles in "Contexts" (2004), "Picturing the Social Landscape" (2004), "Qualitative Sociology" (1997), "Journal of Architectural and Planning Research" (1993), "Visual Sociology" (1993) and "Gentrification and Urban Change: Research in Urban Sociology" (1992). Suchar is also an associate editor of the journal "Visual Studies."
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