Dr. John Chuchiak

Energy abounds as Dr. John Chuchiak, assistant professor of History, talks about teaching Latin American History to his students at Assumption. ÒMy mission is to increase studentsÕ understanding of issues of cultural diversity and help them appreciate the culture of Latin America. As a nation we have had positive and negative effects on Latin America. We need to open our studentsÕ eyes to this truth. History is an interpretive science, and we have to interpret the truth. ÒAssumption students are very motivated and are genuinely interested in learning something new. They possess that genuine curiosity that every professor hopes to find in his students.Ó

Although Dr. Chuchiak joined the faculty only last year, he has used every moment of that time to become an integral member of the Assumption community. As the faculty advisor for the history honors society, Phi Alpha Theta, he has the opportunity to work closely with students who are high achievers. But his commitment extends to all students, even those who may not be concentrating in History. ÒI try to offer whatever support I can to our students. I often work very late in my office, and I have had students come to me at two in the morning to talk. Sometimes the issues are academic in nature. Sometimes the problems are personal ones. Recently a student, who wasnÕt even a history major, approached me to look over a paper he was preparing for a Spanish class. ÒNext year my wife, Ana, and my son, Luis, and I will be living in a faculty apartment in the new South Hall. This will give us a chance to know the students on an even more personal day-to-day basis. It will also allow the students to feel that theyÕre living in a more academic community. One of my goals is to bring about more ethnic and cultural diversity on campus. We need to show students how much fun it is to learn about other cultures and to emphasize that this is in no way a betrayal of oneÕs own culture. Right now, my wife and I are already planning to organize a Mexican Christmas celebration at South Hall.Ó Dr. ChuchiakÕs first impression of Assumption, while interviewing last year, has remained a lasting one. ÒDuring my initial interview, I was impressed by how congenial everyone was. I have taught at Ohio University, Tulane University, and I was a visiting professor at the National University of Mexico for a year. In addition, I was a visiting professor and scholar at the University of Yucatan.

What I experience here at Assumption every day is a deep sense of camaraderie and community. This is the Catholic system at its best. Our mission is to help develop the minds and hearts of the students and to make them feel part of this large family.Ó Dr. ChuchiakÕs enthusiasm and expertise in the classroom is fueled in part by his endeavors outside Assumption. ÒI presented papers at three separate conferences last year. I have received a faculty development grant for a book IÕm writing in conjunction with a professor from Penn State. I will be doing research in Spain this summer for that. In July I will be presenting a paper in Warsaw, Poland at the Fiftieth International Conference of Americanists. ÒIÕm extremely excited about the summer of 2001. I will be taking Assumption students to study in Mexico for six weeks. It will be our first academic program in Mexico and the students will receive six credits. Of course, we have had the Mexico mission, which is service-oriented, for many years. Several of my students have been involved in the Mexico mission, and are thirsting for the historical knowledge about what they have seen there.Ó

Dr. Chuchiak is also very active in the Latino community in Worcester. ÒI am a volunteer teacher of English as a second language at St. PeterÕs Church in Worcester. I also recently participated as the Assumption College Representative at the Massachusetts Educational Initiative for Latino Students, which is part of the White House Initiative on Educational Excellence for Hispanic Americans. This conference offered Latinos in the community information about college opportunities. ÒI am pleased to be living in Worcester and to be part of the Assumption community. These are wonderful students and they are going to be wonderful men and women when they finish their academic careers here.Ó