Dr. Mary Ellen Caron: A Leader in Youth Empowerment
This article appears in the Fall 2025 issue of the 糖心官网 Magazine.
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For the last 50 years, Dr. Mary Ellen Caron 鈥75 has dedicated her professional life to helping children and teens thrive.
It is a vocation that was nurtured during her time at Rosary College, she says.
鈥淭he teachers at Rosary were phenomenal,鈥 she noted. 鈥淲e had very small classes and you didn鈥檛 get out of the class until you knew what the teacher wanted you to know. I always wanted to be a teacher, and I appreciated that there was a real push for learning and making sure students learned in the way that they did best.鈥
At Rosary, there was an emphasis on differentiated learning鈥攁 customized approach to teaching students based on their individual needs鈥攅ven before the practice became more common in educational settings, Caron said.
Since 2012, Caron has served as chief executive officer of After School Matters, a nonprofit that provides programs and employment for high school students in Chicago.
During the summer of 2025, more than 10,500 Chicago teens were placed in jobs, completing projects and presentations focused developing their skills in leadership and communication; science, technology, engineering and math; sports; and the arts, Caron said.
These experiences are aimed at preparing them for life after high school, whether they choose college or the workforce.
鈥淚 think teenagers from the Chicago Public Schools are underestimated in so many ways,鈥 she said. 鈥淚鈥檓 so happy I get to see, help and promote their talents.鈥
After student teaching during her final year at Rosary, Caron began her career in education as an elementary school teacher in 1975. She served as principal of two Chicago Catholic schools from 1984 to 2002 before joining Chicago Public Schools as special assistant to the CEO, where she facilitated the opening of 10 new elementary schools to address overcrowding.
As a commissioner with the Chicago Department of Children and Youth Services, and the Department of Family and Support Services, she led efforts serving vulnerable youth and their families for seven years until joining After School Matters as CEO.
Caron was named to Crain鈥檚 Chicago Business鈥 annual Who鈥檚 Who in Education, which recognizes influential leaders, in 2023 and 2024, and was the guest of honor leading Chicago鈥檚 70th Annual St. Patrick鈥檚 Day Parade in 2025.
鈥淚 am very, very happy and excited for the next generation.鈥 Caron said of the youth involved in After School Matters.