Michael St. Hilaire’s return to 鶹Ƶ in October 2023 wasn’t just a visit — it was a chance to give back to the program that helped shape his career.
“It felt like returning to my old stomping ground,” said St. Hilaire, now an adjunct faculty member in YVC’s Automotive Service Technology (AST) program. “I really resonated with the program as a student, so coming back to teach felt very familiar — just from the other side of the classroom.”
St. Hilaire’s journey from student to instructor is rooted in both family legacy and personal drive. Growing up, he was surrounded by the hum of engines and the scent of motor oil — his father and uncle were both mechanics, sparking an early interest in the field.
“The automotive program felt very natural to me,” he said. “Other than making sure I put in the effort, it felt like it flowed fairly easily.”
That natural fit led him to earn an associate of applied science in automotive service technology from YVC in 2018, followed by his bachelor of applied science in business management in 2020 — all while working at a vineyard near Wapato to help pay his way through school.
“I was helping with harvest and maintaining equipment and vehicles,” he said. “That hands-on experience really translated into the classroom later on.”
After gaining hands-on experience in agriculture, St. Hilaire transitioned to the fast-paced environment of an automotive shop, where he became the go-to diagnostic technician — a role that sharpened his problem-solving skills and deepened his understanding of vehicle systems.
ABOVE: Automotive Service Technology Instructor Michael St. Hilaire, left, discusses a diagnostic issue with students during a recent lab session. TOP: St. Hilaire stands in YVC's Automotive Service Technology Lab — the same space where he once trained as a student and now teaches.
“When it comes to diagnostics, it’s like solving a puzzle,” he explained. “Why doesn’t something work the way it should? Why is that wheel making a weird noise? If you can become good at electrical and diagnostics, you become a very valuable asset in any shop.”
That mindset now shapes his teaching philosophy. He remembers how challenging electrical systems were for many students — himself included — and makes it a point to simplify complex concepts.
His return to YVC was sparked by a call from longtime faculty member Murray Ruggles, who encouraged him to apply for an open teaching position. After talking it over with his family — especially his mother — St. Hilaire decided to take the leap.
“She said I had great potential to be a teacher,” he recalled. “And I remembered a moment from when I was a student, explaining a suspension concept to a classmate. He told me, ‘You should be a teacher.’ That stuck with me.”
Now, St. Hilaire teaches alongside the very instructors who once mentored him — colleagues he stayed connected with through frequent visits to the program, end-of-year barbecues and volunteering alongside YVC’s program at the annual Vintiques Northwest Nationals car show.
“It’s pretty cool,” he said. “I still remember how positive the experience was as a student. The program felt like the right puzzle piece fitting into place.”
St. Hilaire wears a red SkillsUSA blazer as he prepares for the 2017 SkillsUSA State Competition. He earned a silver medal in the automotive skills category and was named runner-up for the national competition.
Today, he brings that same sense of belonging to his students, guiding them through hands-on projects — especially engines, which always generate excitement — and helping them explore diverse career paths, from dealerships to custom shops to heavy-duty diesel work.
“We ask students early on what their future plans are,” he said. “That helps us tailor our guidance and connect them with the right opportunities.”
St. Hilaire is also excited about the evolving landscape of the automotive industry, particularly the rise of hybrid and electric vehicles and the increasing role of computer programming and reflashing — the process of updating or replacing the software in a vehicle's engine control module or other control units to improve performance, fuel economy and drivability or to fix problems.
“Problems that used to be solved by replacing a part are now handled by a computer,” he said. “It’s exciting to help students get comfortable with that shift and prepare them for what they’ll see in the field.”
As the industry continues to evolve, so does St. Hilaire’s commitment to mentoring the next generation — ensuring they’re not just ready for the road ahead, but inspired to lead it.
“We always encourage [former] students to stop by and let us know how they’re doing,” he said. “It’s great to see them succeed — and to know I played a small part in that journey.”
Story and photos by Stefanie Menard, AA-DTA ’05, communications consultant.