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Freida Hill is the chancellor of Alabama’s Community College System.

Freida Hill, the first female chancellor of Alabama’s Community College System, is a self-proclaimed lifelong learner. She knows the value of education.

The University of Georgia College of Education alumna began her 37-year career as a high school English teacher in Tennessee. She moved into Georgia community and technical colleges and up through the leadership ranks, becoming vice president for economic development of Gwinnett Technical College, then president of Southwest Georgia Technical College and finally, deputy commissioner for the Technical College System of Georgia.

But last October, Hill reached what she calls the “pinnacle of my career” when she was chosen as chancellor of the Alabama Community College System, where she oversees both academic and technical colleges.

Part of Hill’s mission in Alabama is workforce and economic development, and she says that community colleges will play a major role in this development. The system not only prepares students who want to transfer to a four-year university, but also those looking for jobs when they complete their community or technical college degrees.

More than half of all freshmen and sophomores in Alabama are enrolled in two-year colleges, and about 15,000 each year transfer to a four-year institution. “Whether to seek a bachelor’s degree, associate’s degree, or a professional certification depends on what a person wants out of life,” said Hill. “There are many high-demand, high-wage jobs that require the kind of technical training that is only available through our two-year colleges.”

Hill eagerly greeted the possibilities and opportunities to educate Alabama’s citizens and strengthen the state’s workforce when she took the helm in December.

“In this economy, the more people we can put to work, the better the economy is going to be,” said Hill, a Certified Economic Development Trainer. “It is to the best advantage of our state to get the people the education, training, and skills they need.”

Hill has been involved in adult education for more than 25 years as a student and an administrator. She earned her master’s of science in marketing education and a doctorate in adult education from UGA.

While pursuing her doctorate, Hill worked at Gainesville College. She balanced a full-time job while taking afternoon, evening, and weekend classes. She credits UGA faculty with helping her by allowing a flexible schedule.

She credits outstanding faculty members such as Ron Cervero, Brad Courtenay, Tom Valentine, Bernie Moore and Ed Simpson, for guidance and support during her doctoral program.

When Hill worked with the Technical College System of Georgia, she collaborated with Courtenay, professor emeritus in the adult education program, on the Stay-in-School program, Dual Enrollment Research, and promotion of the Community and Technical College Leadership Initiative, which Courtenay was instrumental in developing.

“Early in Dr. Hill’s sojourn as doctoral student, it was obvious that she possessed the intelligence, creativity, poise, sense of excellence, and diplomacy that make for successful leaders in the highest levels of educational institutions and organizations,” said Courtenay. “Based on my work with her in the Technical College System of Georgia, we can expect outstanding contributions to Alabama’s community college system from Dr. Hill.”

Hill’s first goal for the system is to concentrate on and define student success. “I believe students are successful if they take two or three classes to get a job promotion, complete a short-term certificate, complete an associate’s degree and go to work, or transfer to a four-year college or university,” said Hill.

Other goals include increasing retention, graduation and placement rates and serving more adult education and prison population students.

Hill also wants to focus on helping existing business and industry. “Community and technical colleges provide the skilled workforce to move the state’s economy forward,” she said. “We are the solution to the turnaround.”

As part of the Alabama Community College System, the Alabama Technology Network (ATN) offers training and assistance to existing business and industry to help them remain competitive.

“ATN can bring innovation to existing businesses like no other workforce development agency in the state and is constantly developing new programs to assist existing manufacturers in Alabama,” Hill said.

The system’s Alabama Industrial Development Training Institute (AIDT) identifies qualified potential employees for new and expanding businesses, offering job-specific pre-employment and on-the-job training programs.

“When new businesses and industries come to Alabama, AIDT helps with the startup – everything from screening, hiring and training workers,” said Hill. “First, they look to our colleges for trained workers.”

Hill’s biggest challenge for accomplishing these goals is the budget. The system has faced budget cuts while continuing to grow at a phenomenal rate. “It is a nice problem to have, but the applications must still get processed, qualified adjunct faculty must be recruited and hired, and additional classroom space must be found,” she said. “However, the faculty and staff at our colleges are hardworking, committed individuals who are willing to go the extra mile to make sure our students and communities are served. Hopefully, when the economy turns, the legislature will recognize our needs and fund us more appropriately.”