FVSU Announces Fall 2024 Commencement Speaker

Staff Report From Georgia CEO

Tuesday, December 3rd, 2024

Carl C. Hill, corporate director of culture and engagement for Coca-Cola Bottling Company UNITED will be the featured speaker for Fort Valley State University’s Fall 2024 Commencement, scheduled for Saturday, December 7, 2024.

Hill is a distinguished leader known for his ability to foster organizational success through cultural innovation and community-focused initiatives. At Coca-Cola UNITED, he spearheads diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts, as well as associate engagement events, supporting more than 10,000 employees across the Southeast. His impressive tenure in the Coca-Cola system includes nearly a decade of expertise in sales operations, marketing, customer management and community affairs.

Hill is a proud third-generation HBCU graduate who holds a Bachelor of Science in Marketing from Xavier University of Louisiana. His father Carl Vincent Hill Sr. '70 and uncle Homer Carey Hill Jr. '65 were both graduates of Fort Valley State College and played football for Hall of Fame Coach Stan Lomax. Continuing in his educational journey, he obtained his Executive MBA from Georgia State University and is a certified Project Management Professional from the International Project Management Institute. Hill also holds Executive Leadership, High-Performance, and Change Management certificates from Cornell University. His commitment to education and professional development mirrors his passion for giving back to his community.

Beyond his corporate responsibilities, Hill is civically active, serving on the boards of the YMCA of Metro Atlanta and 100 Black Men of Atlanta, where he co-chairs the Programs Committee. He is also a past Chair of the Board for the City of Atlanta’s Worksource Agency and an alumnus of esteemed leadership programs such as Outstanding Atlanta (2021) and Leadership Georgia (2023).

A devoted family man, Hill and his wife, Dr. Cherie Hill, are raising their three children—Carter, Callie, and Ciara—in Atlanta. He is a fourth-generation Atlanta native and a successful graduate of Atlanta Public Schools. The family shares a love of travel and outdoor activities, frequently participating in races, including the iconic Peachtree Road Race.

The Fall 2024 Commencement ceremony begins at 9:30 a.m. at the Health and Physical Education Complex. Guests are asked to be seated by 9 a.m. The clear bag policy will be enforced. 

For more details about the event, visit FVSU.edu/Commencement.