Midtown-Metro Achievement Centers Appoints Daniel Matamoros as New Midtown Center Director
Introducing the new Midtown Achievement Center Director, Daniel Matamoros
CHICAGO—Midtown-Metro Achievement Centers (MMAC), an esteemed non-profit organization in Chicago dedicated to empowering underserved Chicago youth since 1965, has appointed Daniel Matamoros as the new Center Director of its Midtown Achievement Center for boys (Midtown). As Matamoros officially steps into his role. Pedro Caranti, the former Center Director, will transition into the role of Assistant Center Director, offering his experienced support, and maintaining leadership of the One-on-one program.
As the new Center Director, Daniel takes charge of overseeing Midtown's day-to-day operations, administration, and program development. With a keen dedication to maintaining the organization's nearly 30-year legacy, Daniel focuses on nurturing young men, guiding them towards success by fostering qualities of academic excellence, brotherhood, and friendship. Notably, Daniel brings hands-on experience to this role, having volunteered at Midtown as a tutor and serving as a college liaison.
“To even be a footnote in the life and education of our future generations is the privilege of a lifetime. I cannot wait to see what lies ahead as we begin this next chapter in the tome that is the work and impact Midtown-Metro has had for Chicago’s youth and families.”
Daniel was born in Heredia, Costa Rica as the second of his 10 siblings. He holds a degree in Psychology and Philosophy from the University of Dallas and a Masters in Marriage and Family Counseling from the University of Navarra and a second Masters in Higher Education Administration from Loyola University Chicago.
While working in the financial aid office at Loyola, Daniel's passion for assisting students through financial hardships grew. Upon joining the management team at Loyola, he developed a unique capacity for facilitating training and expanding outreach initiatives for student retention and support initiatives.
He is a certified Professional Educator in Personal Finance, Financial Aid Administrator, and holds a third certification in Curriculum and Pedagogy. As a PhD candidate in Loyola University's Higher Education Program, he anticipates completing his degree by Spring 2024. Daniel's research focuses on STEM identity for minority students, supporting undocumented and underrepresented students, using financial aid to bridge educational gaps, and developing tailored supports for underserved student populations.
“We are so fortunate to have Daniel as our new leader at Midtown, with his passionate leadership style and his robust credentials in education and family counseling. His first-hand experience as a father, the first for a Midtown Center Director, and immigrant background make him that much more relatable to the families we serve.
I’d also like to offer my sincere gratitude to Pedro Caranti for leading Midtown for the past three years amidst all the struggles of the pandemic. His love for our mission and our families is unquestionable and he will remain a valuable asset as Midtown’s Assistant Center Director and Director of our One-on-One Program.”
When he is not working or studying, he enjoys spending time with his wife and three kids painting, cooking, going camping, or going out for the occasional karaoke session.
Midtown-Metro is enthusiastic about the impactful leadership Daniel Matamoros is poised to bring to MMAC's mission at Midtown. His guidance will continue to steer Midtown students towards success, emphasizing our four principles of academic excellence, virtue development, individual attention, and fostering parental engagement.
About Midtown-Metro Achievement Centers: Midtown-Metro Achievement Centers (www.midtown-metro.org), through its Metro Achievement Center for girls and Midtown Achievement Center for boys, has helped close the achievement gap for underserved students in Chicago since its founding in 1965. Its programming, focusing on academic excellence, virtue development, individual attention, and parental engagement, has led to 100% high school graduation and college enrollment for its students for over 20 consecutive years.