Experienced and highly recommended, Hill seems well qualified to continue the work started by her predecessor, Bradley Byrne, who took on the post amid financial scandal.
Byrne left the system in far better shape than he found it, so the expectations are steep. Although Hill's appointment suggests that the reforms Byrne pushed might remain on the agenda, she brings qualifications and experiences that indicate a new focus for the two-year system. She also will become the first woman to hold the chancellor's post on a permanent basis.
Although the state's community colleges always have had a strong technical component, it has only been in recent years that cooperation between state and local economic development offices and the two-year schools has become part of the strategy to lure companies and jobs to Alabama.
Now even Washington is calling attention to the role two-year colleges should play in training the next generation of workers. The Obama administration has promised that federal stimulus money will be available to help with new and expanded programs.
Hill fits perfectly into this strategy.
Prior to coming to Alabama, Hill was the deputy commissioner of the Technical College System of Georgia. As such, Hill oversaw institutions that accomplished what Alabama envisions for its two-year schools.
One of the things overlooked in the success of Georgia's Hope scholarship program is the positive impact it had on that state's technical schools. Many bright students chose technical training over traditional college courses; as a result, Georgia benefited from their choices.
Although Alabama does not have a similar scholarship program, the state does have excellent technical schools. What they have to offer needs to be better coordinated and better advertised.
Politicians and business leaders need to understand that educating a workforce is as important in attracting industries as site development and tax breaks. If Hill can get this point across to legislative and corporate leaders, she will do this state a great service.
