Mike Checuga had a successful career in real estate, a beloved son and a passion project in the Chicago theatre community, but something still was missing.

When he walked into an office to negotiate a deal and saw a college degree hanging on the wall, a pang of insecurity would hit him. “It’s silly,” he said. “I’m one of the top agents in the city, but it would make me question my abilities.”

After many stops and starts, Checuga found the right fit at DePaul University’s School for New Learning, where he earned a bachelor’s degree with a concentration in business and residential real estate. The customized program drew on his professional experience and strengths, and he will celebrate these accomplishments during commencement on June 14.

“The support that I received at DePaul was phenomenal. I’ve enjoyed this journey so much more than I thought I was going to,” he said.

A lifelong Chicagoan, Checuga, 45, is the first in his family to earn a college degree.

“Like many other people, I went to college as an 18-year-old. But my family fell on hard financial times, and I had to quit school,” Checuga said.

Gregarious and ambitious, he decided to work as a real estate broker to help support his family. Real estate turned out to be a great choice. “I love talking to people, and I love this city. I’ve been very fortunate,” he said.

Checuga has always been committed to giving back to the community. When he was a single, young professional at 24, Checuga was volunteering at an orphanage. He met a 10-year-old African-American boy named Victor who needed love and support. “Life is too short to have regrets, so I decided to become a foster parent,” Checuga said. He went on to adopt Victor and has spoken openly about the racism and struggle they faced as a family of two.

Throughout his 20s, Checuga wanted to be a good role model for Victor and continued taking courses for college credit, but he never found a program that really clicked. After a chance meeting with DePaul faculty member Veronica “Roni” Buckley, Checuga decided to look at the DePaul School for New Learning.

“It truly is a program that you design for yourself. It was challenging, don’t get me wrong, but it did come across as easier because you had a little more control, as an adult.”

While the focus of Checuga’s degree at DePaul was business, his studies also reinvigorated his interest in the arts. “I took an intro to music and I learned about the Chicago Symphony and jazz. All of a sudden, I’m not only getting college credit for it, I’m actually enjoying the experience,” he said.

Checuga had always loved theatre. “I remember being taken to the theatre as a kid and really being fascinated with the actors on stage. An as an adult, there’s this little moment where all your problems are gone,” he said.

A few years ago, Checuga stepped away from real estate to produce theatre in Chicago, including a stint with the Pegasus Players in the Uptown neighborhood. Now, Checuga gives back to the theatre community as vice president of the board for Season of Concern, which raises funds to support people in the arts who are facing illness or disability.

Checuga even squeezed in some acting during his time at DePaul. While taking a course with Susanne Dumbleton about the death penalty, he went on to perform a reading of “Dead Man Walking” for an audience that included Sister Helen Prejean and actor Tim Robbins. That experience, as well as courses on health and globalization with Isidore Udoh, also refocused his attention on giving back to the community. Udoh, a visiting assistant professor at DePaul, pushed Checuga to think globally and act locally.

“He told me, ‘You’re so passionate about Chicago, you should focus on Chicago. That’s your heart. You love this city; this is where you should spend your time and energy.’ It’s great advice,” Checuga said.

Going back to school later in life made Checuga appreciate his professors’ advice, and he has befriended several of his teachers. Buckley, who first recruited him to DePaul, remains a huge influence as Checuga moves on past graduation.

“Roni always says, ‘You have a ticket to the ride.’ And that’s how it feels now, that I belong to a special club of people who actually put in their time.”

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