Marwill Santiago, recruitment specialist in Student Services, helps spread the word about MATC by visiting high school students and telling them about the benefits of going to the school. “I promote technical education and I promote MATC,” says Santiago.  Santiago not only wants to bring more students to MATC, he also works to make a better future for all the students of Milwaukee.
Growing up in Milwaukee, Santiago came from a hard-working family. Named Marwill, a combination of his mother’s and father’s names, Maria and William Santiago, motivated him to always pursue his goals and never let anyone say he can’t make it in life.
What motivated Santiago to work at MATC was learning about Milwaukee’s current problems. “I grew up in Milwaukee, I love Milwaukee, but it breaks my heart to learn that Milwaukee is one of the poorest cities in the country,” says Santiago.
He also stated that many students weren’t able to pursue an education because of the city’s financial situation.
“I see it as my responsibility as a recruiter to make sure that the students within MPS and other school districts have ways to break that poverty,” says Santiago.
Santiago came to MATC to help increase the graduation rate in Milwaukee and provide guidance to new and future students of the school.
Santiago has been working with MATC since January 2000. He started as a bilingual educational assistant in the school’s printing programs where he worked to help pay for school. Santiago didn’t think he would be there very long.
“At that point, I thought it would be just a job to help pay for school, then it grew into something better,” says Santiago. Santiago was eventually asked to work as a recruiter for the school. He eagerly accepted and has been working as a recruiter ever since.
On a typical day working as a recruiter, Santiago spends most of his time visiting high schools. He visits two to three schools almost every day. He says that the most beneficial part about this job is talking to high school students and young college students in order to help them reach their goals.
“Besides getting students enrolled at MATC, I really want to see them move on after MATC, either getting a good job or continuing their education elsewhere,” says Santiago. The most difficult part about Santiago’s job is helping certain students break through certain barriers and obstacles.
Each student at MATC has different obstacles to overcome, such as financial aid and lack of confidence. Santiago always tries his hardest to help these students overcome these problems and become better students. Santiago also participates in college fairs, resource fairs, and other events to promote the school.  The recruitment process is not the only place where Santiago contributes for MATC.
Santiago is known among MATC staff for his political background. He is a part of the executive board and legislative chair for a teacher’s union called the AFT, American Federation of Teachers Local 212.
“Basically, the union provides a voice for workers in the workplace,” says Santiago. He also stated that one of the main things this union does is negotiate contracts, on things like wages and health benefits, with the administration and staff of MATC.
Santiago’s main job is in the union’s political side by focusing on events that relate to MATC, such as tuition rates. Santiago showed his support for MATC most recently during a demonstration that took place a few weeks ago to make people aware of the school’s contract negotiations.
Santiago does his best to help MATC inside and outside the recruitment office but he still feels that there is more he can do to help make MATC better than it is now. He plans to keep recruiting as many students as he can, and venture out and work with other programs related to MATC.
Santiago is working hard to reach his goal, and his work will have a huge impact on MATC in the future.