ASHI Staff: Helping People Learn

Michelle Santiago likes helping people. As education manager for the ASHI School, she talks to many people just starting in their careers every day.

“I love being able to help people start a new career or make a big change in their life,” she said. “A lot of people who come through here are looking to make a career change.”

Michelle at the ASHI School booth, InspectionWorld 2018, in Orlando.

Santiago was instrumental in helping to move The ASHI School from a stand-alone for-profit entity into ASHI’s Education Department. Under her direction, the ASHI School experienced its most profitable year in 2021, according to ASHI 2021 President Bruce Barker. Santiago said the move also made things much more efficient. “It’s really intertwined with ASHI now,” she said.

Santiago started working with ASHI in late 2016, starting in more of an administrative role. Today she runs the ASHI School, covering everything from answering the phone to invoicing to talking students through what to expect. She signs people up for their courses, develops marketing materials, answers frequent questions, and more.

She says she’s continued to stay with ASHI both for the fulfilling work it offers and the camaraderie. “Everybody collaborates, and you feel like you’re part of a big family. It’s not just coworkers,” she said. “I’ve always liked that you can talk to the board members, you can talk to management, and you always feel a part of something.”

She says a typical day may begin with a call from someone interested in becoming a home inspector but who doesn’t know where to start. Santiago learns their background and where they’re from, as every state has different rules and regulations. “I make sure the course we’re offering is the right fit for them and then I give them information on what we provide and how the process will work—from taking the course to taking their state exam to walking them through the process of joining ASHI.”

Most prospective students are not yet ASHI members when they make the call, as they’re just beginning their journeys and figuring things out. The ASHI School offers them their first year of membership for $99 when they take an ASHI pre-licensing course.

Santiago said the ASHI School has gone through many changes in recent years, including adapting their own curriculum, which they now own. They’re also developing their own online courses. With new management in place, she said the ASHI School is working to reach even more people—both online and in person. “We’re looking to host more in-person classes in states across the US,” she said.

In exciting new offerings online, the ASHI School now offers its three-day commercial class as a live webinar. They are also working to create their three-day mold class as a live webinar, which is expected to be released in late 2022. For more information on these and other courses, visit The ASHI School.

Santiago currently works from her home in a Chicago suburb, and she says her two children—ages 14 and 5—alongside her supportive husband William drive her to continue to want to do more and do better. “I love to be organized and to help others. I find joy in helping others and knowing other people are happy makes me happy.”

Award-Winning

Santiago recently received the 2021 Presidential Staff Award, which isn’t awarded annually like most other ASHI awards. “I don’t know that it was given out in the last few years so I almost forgot about it,” she laughed. “I was at a loss for words.”

ASHI 2021 President Bruce Barker personally called Santiago to share the news. “That was very touching. It makes it all worth it,” she said.

Barker said part of why Santiago received the award was because she embraces the challenges in front of her and continues to help move ASHI forward. He said anyone who knows her knows she always aims to support however she can. She’s appreciated by the many instructors she helps manage as well as the students she impacts daily. Most of all, she is respected by her colleagues and ASHI leadership.