MARION — Alabama Community College chancellor Dr. Freida H. Hill has made her initial visit to Marion Military Institute.

Hill talked to the corps of cadets and special guests at the MMI Chapel on Wednesday.

This is the first trip to MMI by the chancellor since the military school joined the Alabama Community College System in December.

“There will always be those that tell you that you are wrong,” Hill told cadets during the meeting in the chapel. “There will always be those that tell you to take an easier and less resistant path and there will always be those that unintentionally or purposefully create obstacles that will challenge you in your life. Even the best leaders must go through tests like these in order to come out stronger on the other side.”

She talked about leadership and responsibilities cadets will have as leaders. Hill focused on the basics — leading by example through ethical principles. She also talked about the need for strong ethical decisions and the vital role those decisions play in success in life and at work.

“When it comes to ethics and integrity it is important to consistently do the right thing,” she said. “and we must all be held accountable of doing so. You make that happen by backing up your words with actions and refusing to condone wrong no matter what the source.”

After speaking, Hill ate lunch with a group of cadets in the dining hall. She learned about life on campus.

After lunch Hill visited with faculty and staff and talked about students, the school and about Alabama, her newly adopted home.

Hill began her tenure as community college system chancellor Dec. 1 after the state Board of Education approved her three-year, $289,000-a-year contract.

For most of her career Hill has called Georgia home. She served as deputy commissioner for the Technical College System of Georgia in her last position.

She is a native of Tennessee. Hill holds an associate degree from Hiwassee Junior College in Tennessee, a bachelor of arts in English from Samford University in Alabama, a master of science in marketing education and a doctorate in adult education from the University of Georgia.