Career Timeline of Condoleezza Rice: Major Achievements and Milestones
Discover the career path of Condoleezza Rice, from the first major opportunity to industry-changing achievements.
Condoleezza Rice is a prominent American diplomat and political scientist. She served as the 66th U.S. Secretary of State from 2005 to 2009 and the 19th U.S. National Security Advisor from 2001 to 2005. Currently, she directs Stanford University's Hoover Institution. As a Republican, Rice holds the distinction of being the first female African-American Secretary of State and the first woman to be National Security Advisor. Before Barack Obama's presidency, she and Colin Powell were the highest-ranking African Americans in the U.S. executive branch. At the time of her appointment, she was also the highest-ranking woman in the presidential line of succession.
1977: Worked at the State Department
In 1977, Condoleezza Rice first worked in the State Department during the Carter administration as an intern in the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs.
1981: Assistant Professor at Stanford
From 1981, Condoleezza Rice was hired by Stanford University as an assistant professor of political science.
1985: Met Brent Scowcroft
In 1985, at a meeting of arms control experts at Stanford, Condoleezza Rice's performance drew the attention of Brent Scowcroft.
1986: Special Assistant to the Director of the Joint Chiefs of Staff
In 1986, Condoleezza Rice was appointed special assistant to the director of the Joint Chiefs of Staff to work on nuclear strategic planning as part of a Council on Foreign Relations fellowship.
1987: Promoted to Associate Professor
In 1987, Condoleezza Rice was promoted to associate professor at Stanford University, a position she held until 1993.
1989: Director of Soviet and East European Affairs
From 1989, Condoleezza Rice served in President George H. W. Bush's administration as director, and then senior director, of Soviet and East European affairs in the National Security Council, and a special assistant to the president for national security affairs.
1989: National Security Council Advisor
From 1989, Condoleezza Rice served on the National Security Council as the Soviet and Eastern Europe affairs advisor to President George H. W. Bush.
1989: Joined National Security Council
In 1989, following the election of George H. W. Bush, Brent Scowcroft asked Condoleezza Rice to become his Soviet expert on the United States National Security Council.
March 1991: Senior Director in National Security Council
In March 1991, Condoleezza Rice was the senior director of Soviet and East European affairs in the National Security Council, and a special assistant to the president for national security affairs under President George H.W. Bush. She helped develop policies for German reunification and wrote the "Chicken Kiev speech".
1991: Returned to Stanford
In 1991, Condoleezza Rice returned to Stanford University and was taken under the wing of George Shultz.
1991: Returned to Stanford and Appointed to Committee
In 1991, Condoleezza Rice returned to her teaching position at Stanford and served as a consultant and California governor Pete Wilson appointed her to a bipartisan committee that had been formed to draw new state legislative and congressional districts in the state.
1991: End of National Security Council Advisor Role
In 1991, Condoleezza Rice's role on the National Security Council as the Soviet and Eastern Europe affairs advisor to President George H. W. Bush came to an end.
1992: Founded Center for a New Generation
In 1992, Condoleezza Rice founded the Center for a New Generation, an after-school program designed to increase high school graduation rates in East Palo Alto and eastern Menlo Park, California.
1992: Search Committee for Stanford President
In 1992, Condoleezza Rice volunteered to serve on the search committee to replace outgoing Stanford president Donald Kennedy.
1992: Joined Chevron Board
In 1992, Condoleezza Rice was recommended by George Shultz for a spot on the Chevron board, and she was also appointed to the Hewlett-Packard board.
1993: Provost at Stanford University
From 1993, Condoleezza Rice served as provost at Stanford University.
1993: Appointed Provost at Stanford
In 1993, Condoleezza Rice was appointed as Stanford's provost.
1993: End of Associate Professor Role
In 1993, Condoleezza Rice's role as associate professor at Stanford University came to an end.
1997: Served on Federal Advisory Committee
In 1997, Condoleezza Rice served on the Federal Advisory Committee on Gender-Integrated Training in the Military.
1999: End of Provost Role at Stanford University
In 1999, Condoleezza Rice's role as provost at Stanford University came to an end.
December 16, 2000: Named National Security Advisor
On December 16, 2000, Condoleezza Rice was named as National Security Advisor, stepping down from her position at Stanford University. She was the first woman to hold the post and earned the nickname "Warrior Princess".
December 17, 2000: Joined George W. Bush Administration
On December 17, 2000, Condoleezza Rice joined the George W. Bush administration as national security advisor.
2000: Foreign Policy Advisor for George W. Bush
In 2000, during George W. Bush's presidential election campaign, Condoleezza Rice took a leave of absence from Stanford University to serve as his foreign policy advisor. She led a group of advisors called the Vulcans and gave a speech at the Republican National Convention.
January 15, 2001: Resigned from Chevron, Became National Security Advisor
On January 15, 2001, Condoleezza Rice resigned from Chevron's committee on public policy to become National Security Advisor to President George W. Bush. Chevron had named an oil tanker after her, but it was later renamed.
July 10, 2001: Met with CIA Director George Tenet
On July 10, 2001, Condoleezza Rice, then the National Security Advisor, met with CIA director George Tenet at the White House to discuss the potential threat of an impending al Qaeda attack. Tenet requested the "emergency meeting" to brief Rice and the NSC staff, and Rice responded by asking Tenet to give a presentation on the matter to Secretary Donald Rumsfeld and Attorney General John Ashcroft.
July 2001: Met with George Tenet
In July 2001, Condoleezza Rice met repeatedly with George Tenet about terrorist threats.
August 6, 2001: Characterized PDB as Historical Information
On August 6, 2001, Condoleezza Rice characterized the President's Daily Brief, "Bin Ladin Determined To Strike in US," as historical information, indicating it was based on old reporting.
September 11, 2001: Scheduled to Outline New Security Policy
On September 11, 2001, Condoleezza Rice was scheduled to outline a new national security policy that included missile defense as a cornerstone and played down the threat of stateless terrorism.
2001: U.S. National Security Advisor
In 2001, Condoleezza Rice became the 19th U.S. National Security Advisor.
2001: Stated the September 11 attacks were rooted in oppression and despair
In 2001, as Secretary of State, Rice championed the expansion of democratic governments and other American values: "American values are universal." "An international order that reflects our values is the best guarantee of our enduring national interest ..." Rice stated that the September 11 attacks in 2001 were rooted in "oppression and despair" and so, the U.S. must advance democratic reform and support basic rights throughout the greater Middle East.
July 17, 2002: Rice met with CIA director George Tenet
On July 17, 2002, Rice met with CIA director George Tenet to personally convey the Bush administration's approval of the proposed waterboarding of alleged Al Qaeda leader Abu Zubaydah.
December 8, 2002: Editorial in The New York Times
On December 8, 2002, after Iraq delivered its declaration of weapons of mass destruction to the United Nations, Condoleezza Rice wrote an editorial for The New York Times entitled "Why We Know Iraq Is Lying".
2002: Viewed Favorably by Black Respondents
In 2002, Condoleezza Rice was viewed favorably by 41% of black respondents in a survey when she was National Security Advisor.
January 10, 2003: Interview with CNN's Wolf Blitzer
On January 10, 2003, in an interview with CNN's Wolf Blitzer, Condoleezza Rice stated, "We don't want the smoking gun to be a mushroom cloud," regarding Saddam Hussein's nuclear capabilities.
January 18, 2003: Involved in crafting Bush's position on race-based preferences
On January 18, 2003, it was reported that Rice was involved in crafting Bush's position on race-based preferences. Rice stated that race can be taken into account as "one factor among others" in university admissions policies.
October 2003: Named to run Iraq Stabilization Group
In October 2003, Condoleezza Rice was named to run the Iraq Stabilization Group, tasked with quelling violence in Iraq and Afghanistan and speeding up the reconstruction of both countries.
2003: Briefed on Enhanced Interrogation Techniques
In 2003, Condoleezza Rice, along with Vice President Dick Cheney and Attorney General John Ashcroft, met with the CIA and were briefed on the use of waterboarding and other methods including week-long sleep deprivation, forced nudity, and the use of stress positions. The Bush administration officials "reaffirmed that the CIA program was lawful and reflected administration policy".
March 2004: Declined to Testify Before 9/11 Commission
In March 2004, Condoleezza Rice initially declined to testify before the National Commission on Terrorist Attacks Upon the United States (the 9/11 Commission), with the White House claiming executive privilege. However, under pressure, Bush agreed to allow her to testify.
May 2004: Iraq Stabilization Council became nonexistent
By May 2004, The Washington Post reported that the Iraq Stabilization Group, which Condoleezza Rice had been named to run, had become virtually nonexistent.
August 2004: Rice Named World's Most Powerful Woman by Forbes Magazine
In August 2004, Forbes magazine named Condoleezza Rice the world's most powerful woman.
November 16, 2004: Nominated for Secretary of State
On November 16, 2004, George W. Bush nominated Condoleezza Rice to be Secretary of State.
2004: First National Security Advisor to Campaign for Incumbent President
Leading up to the 2004 presidential election, Condoleezza Rice became the first National Security Advisor to campaign for an incumbent president. She stated that Saddam Hussein's Iraq was part of the circumstances that created the problem on September 11.
January 2005: "Outposts of tyranny"
In January 2005, during Bush's second inaugural ceremonies, Rice first used the term "outposts of tyranny" to refer to countries she thought to threaten world peace and human rights, identifying Cuba, Zimbabwe, Burma and Belarus, as well as Iran and North Korea.
January 26, 2005: Confirmed as Secretary of State
On January 26, 2005, the Senate confirmed Condoleezza Rice's nomination as Secretary of State by a vote of 85–13. The negative votes were the most cast against any nomination for Secretary of State since 1825, stemming from Senators who wanted to hold Dr. Rice and the Bush administration accountable for failures in Iraq and in the war on terrorism.
March 14, 2005: Rice Declares She Will Not Run for President
In an interview with Tim Russert on March 14, 2005, Rice stated firmly that she would not run for president of the United States.
July 29, 2005: Counterterrorism confronts ideology
On July 29, 2005, Condoleezza Rice delivered a speech asserting that counterterrorism involves confronting the ideologies that fuel terrorism by supporting the universal hope of liberty and the inherent appeal of democracy.
August 2005: Ratings Decreased Following Hurricane Katrina
In August 2005, Condoleezza Rice's ratings decreased following a heated confirmation battle as Secretary of State and after Hurricane Katrina.
August 2005: Rice Named World's Most Powerful Woman by Forbes Magazine
In August 2005, Forbes magazine named Condoleezza Rice the world's most powerful woman for the second year in a row.
October 2005: Condi vs. Hillary: The Next Great Presidential Race Published
In October 2005, a book titled "Condi vs. Hillary: The Next Great Presidential Race" by Dick Morris and Eileen McGann-Morris, was published, exploring a potential 2008 election scenario between Rice and Hillary Clinton.
October 16, 2005: Rice Again Denies Presidential Run on Meet the Press
On October 16, 2005, on NBC's Meet the Press, Rice once again denied that she would run for president in 2008.
December 18, 2005: Counter-terrorism policy
On December 18, 2005, Condoleezza Rice explained her policy as Secretary of State viewing counter-terrorism as a matter of being preventative, and not merely punitive.
2005: Assumed Office as Secretary of State
In 2005, Condoleezza Rice assumed office as Secretary of State.
2005: Secretary of State
In 2005, Condoleezza Rice became the 66th United States Secretary of State.
January 17, 2006: Laura Bush Implicates Rice as Possible Female President
On January 17, 2006, during an appearance on CNN's The Situation Room, Laura Bush implicated Rice when asked about the possibility of the United States having a female president soon.
March 24, 2006: Laura Bush States Rice Would Make an 'Excellent President'
On March 24, 2006, Laura Bush said during an interview on CNN's Larry King Live that Rice would make an "excellent president," and that she wished Americans could "talk her into running."
August 2006: Rice Named Second Most Powerful Woman by Forbes Magazine
In August 2006, Forbes magazine named Condoleezza Rice the second most powerful woman in the world, behind Angela Merkel.
2006: Agreement for Cooperation between US and India
In 2006, Indian prime minister Manmohan Singh announced the Agreement for Cooperation between the United States and India involving peaceful uses of nuclear energy, with Condoleezza Rice involved in the negotiation.
2006: Rice asserted she did not recall the July 2001 meeting
In 2006, when asked about the July 2001 meeting, Rice asserted she did not recall the specific meeting, commenting that she had met repeatedly with Tenet that summer about terrorist threats. Moreover, she stated that it was "incomprehensible" to her that she had ignored terrorist threats two months before the September 11 attacks.
March 19, 2007: Course correction in foreign policy
In its March 19, 2007, issue, Time magazine stated that Rice was executing an unmistakable course correction in U.S. foreign policy.
February 22, 2008: Rice Plays Down Vice Presidential Ticket Suggestion
On February 22, 2008, Rice dismissed any suggestion that she might be on the Republican vice presidential ticket.
March 26, 2008: Campaigning for VP nomination
On March 26, 2008, Condoleezza Rice attended Grover Norquist's Americans for Tax Reform conservative leader's meeting. This led Republican strategist Dan Senor to believe she was actively campaigning for the vice presidential nomination.
March 27, 2008: Not interested in running for VP
On March 27, 2008, Condoleezza Rice stated during an interview with The Washington Times that she was "not interested" in running for vice president.
April 6, 2008: Rice's spokesperson denied VP pursuit
On April 6, 2008, Rice's spokesperson denied that Rice was seeking the vice presidential nomination, after Republican strategist Dan Senor said she was campaigning for the role.
April 8, 2008: Rice Denies Interest in Vice Presidential Candidacy
On April 8, 2008, Rice publicly stated that she had no interest in serving as a running mate for John McCain, indicating her intention to return to Stanford University instead.
August 2008: Palin selected as McCain's running mate
In August 2008, Sarah Palin was selected as John McCain's running mate, ending speculation about a potential McCain–Rice ticket.
December 2008: Rice praises Clinton's selection as Secretary of State
In December 2008, Condoleezza Rice praised Barack Obama's selection of Hillary Clinton to succeed her as Secretary of State, calling her "terrific" and intelligent.
December 2008: Farewell Interview
In early December 2008, Condoleezza Rice indicated she would return to Stanford and the Hoover Institution.
January 2009: Plans for Return to Stanford
In January 2009, Condoleezza Rice's plans for a return to campus were elaborated in an interview with the Stanford Report.
January 2009: Appointed to Board of Trustees
In January 2009, outgoing President Bush appointed Condoleezza Rice to a six-year term on the Board of Trustees of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts.
February 2009: Rice Signs Three-Book Deal with Crown Publishers
In February 2009, Rice signed a three-book deal with Crown Publishers for at least $2.5 million. The books were intended to cover her time in the White House and her role in shaping foreign policy.
February 2009: Returned to Stanford University
In February 2009, after her tenure as Secretary of State, Condoleezza Rice returned to Stanford University to work as a political science professor and a Thomas and Barbara Stephenson Senior Fellow on Public Policy at the Hoover Institution. She declined an offer to be a Pac-10 Commissioner.
March 1, 2009: Returned to Stanford University
On March 1, 2009, Condoleezza Rice returned to Stanford as a political science professor and senior fellow at the Hoover Institution.
March 2009: Returned to Stanford University
In March 2009, Condoleezza Rice returned to Stanford University as a political science professor and the Thomas and Barbara Stephenson Senior Fellow on Public Policy at the Hoover Institution.
April 2009: Stated she did not authorize torture
In April 2009, Condoleezza Rice stated that she did not authorize the CIA to use torture, but rather conveyed the administration's authorization, subject to the Justice Department's clearance, while at Stanford University.
2009: Received Thomas D. White National Defense Award
In 2009, Condoleezza Rice received the U.S. Air Force Academy's Thomas D. White National Defense Award for contributions to the defense and security of the United States.
2009: End of Term as Secretary of State
In 2009, Condoleezza Rice's term as the 66th United States Secretary of State came to an end.
August 2010: Received Thomas D. White National Defense Award
In August 2010, Condoleezza Rice received the U.S. Air Force Academy's 2009 Thomas D. White National Defense Award for contributions to the defense and security of the United States.
September 2010: Faculty Member at Stanford Graduate School of Business
In September 2010, Condoleezza Rice became a faculty member of the Stanford Graduate School of Business and a director of its Global Center for Business and the Economy.
October 2010: Met with President Obama
In October 2010, Condoleezza Rice met with President Obama for a discussion on national security issues.
2010: Rice Releases Memoir, Extraordinary, Ordinary People: A Memoir of Family
In 2010, Rice released "Extraordinary, Ordinary People: A Memoir of Family", a memoir detailing her upbringing.
May 2011: Appeared on 30 Rock
In May 2011, Condoleezza Rice appeared as herself on the NBC sitcom "30 Rock" in the episode "Everything Sunny All the Time Always", engaging in a classical-music duel with Jack Donaghy (Alec Baldwin).
May 2011: Commented on Osama bin Laden's Death
In May 2011, after the killing of Osama bin Laden, Condoleezza Rice stated that bin Laden's death was "gratifying" and showed that the United States can achieve such successes with patience and persistence.
2011: Rice Writes 'No Higher Honor: A Memoir of My Years in Washington'
In 2011, Rice wrote "No Higher Honor: A Memoir of My Years in Washington", a memoir of her time in the Bush administration, explaining the title was chosen "because there really is no higher honor than serving your country".
May 2012: Keynote Speaker at SMU Commencement
In May 2012, Condoleezza Rice served as the keynote speaker at the Southern Methodist University commencement ceremony. She also delivered a speech at the 2012 Republican National Convention.
August 2012: Romney chooses Paul Ryan as running mate
In August 2012, Mitt Romney announced that Paul Ryan was chosen as his running-mate, ending speculation that Rice would be his running mate. Rice campaigned for the Romney-Ryan ticket in the general election.
October 2013: Rice Selected for College Football Playoff Selection Committee
In October 2013, Rice was chosen as one of the inaugural members of the College Football Playoff selection committee, which stirred some controversy.
2013: Rice Charges Iran with Untrustworthiness
In 2013, Rice accused Iran of being untrustworthy due to the country's decades-long concealment of its nuclear program and its evasive behavior towards the International Atomic Energy Agency.
2013: Rice to Write Book with Henry Holt & Company
In 2013, it was announced that Rice would be writing a book to be published in 2015 by Henry Holt & Company.
March 2014: Ban Bossy campaign
In March 2014, Rice joined and appeared in video spots for the Ban Bossy campaign, a television and social media campaign designed to ban the word "bossy" from general use.
2014: Joined Ban Bossy Campaign
In 2014, Condoleezza Rice joined the Ban Bossy campaign as a spokesperson advocating for leadership roles for girls.
August 2015: Rice to Speak at High Point University's 2016 Commencement
In August 2015, High Point University announced that Condoleezza Rice would be the speaker at the 2016 commencement ceremony.
2015: Called for Investigation by Human Rights Watch
In 2015, Human Rights Watch called for the investigation of Condoleezza Rice for conspiracy to torture as well as other crimes, citing her role in authorizing the use of so-called "enhanced interrogation techniques".
2015: Rice Initially Declines Public Position on Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action
In 2015, Rice initially declined to comment publicly on the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, but acknowledged that it had some positive aspects while noting the high price paid and the possibility that Iran had already reached threshold status.
2016: Rice's Term on College Football Playoff Committee Expires
At the end of the 2016 college football season, Rice's term on the College Football Playoff selection committee expired.
January 26, 2017: Rice Opines on Trump's Presidency with University of San Francisco
On January 26, 2017, Condoleezza Rice stated during a talk with the University of San Francisco that the United States had entered uncharted territory with President Donald Trump due to his lack of government experience and that the new president should be given time to realize the limitations of his powers.
2017: Rice Releases Democracy: Stories from the Long Road to Freedom
In 2017, Rice released "Democracy: Stories from the Long Road to Freedom", a book advocating for democracy over totalitarianism or authoritarianism.
November 18, 2018: Rice Considered for Cleveland Browns Head Coach
On November 18, 2018, it was reported that Rice was being considered as a candidate for the Cleveland Browns' head coach position. The report sparked jokes and outcry, due to her lack of coaching experience. The Browns and Rice both denied the report.
2018: Rice Comments on North Korea and Kim Jong Un
In 2018, Rice described North Korean leader Kim Jong Un's overtures to South Korea as "clever" and expressed concern that he was more isolated and reckless than his father. She supported negotiations with North Korea ahead of the Singapore Summit, but warned that the US should "go step by step, make sure there's good verification of everything the North Koreans are doing, and keep your eye on the prize of denuclearization. Because what we want to do is stop them short of threatening the American homeland."
2018: Possible Trump Replacement
In 2018, after the release of the Access Hollywood tapes, Reince Priebus suggested Donald Trump drop out of the presidential race, with Mike Pence replacing him and Condoleezza Rice as Pence's running mate.
September 2019: Rice Publicly Dislikes Trump's Rhetoric
In September 2019, Rice publicly criticized President Trump's rhetoric, especially concerning immigration, cautioning him to be more careful due to the sensitivity of race relations in America.
January 2020: Announced as Next Director of the Hoover Institution
In January 2020, it was announced that Condoleezza Rice would succeed Thomas W. Gilligan as the next director of the Hoover Institution.
September 1, 2020: Director of the Hoover Institution
On September 1, 2020, Condoleezza Rice succeeded Thomas W. Gilligan as the next director of the Hoover Institution.
2020: Director of Hoover Institution
Since 2020, Condoleezza Rice has served as the 8th director of Stanford University's Hoover Institution.
August 2021: Rice Argues U.S. Withdrew from Afghanistan Too Quickly
In August 2021, Rice authored an op-ed in which she contended that the United States withdrew from Afghanistan prematurely and denounced the notion that Afghans were responsible for the Taliban's takeover as a "corrosive and deeply unfair narrative".
July 11, 2022: Joined Denver Broncos Ownership Group
On July 11, 2022, Condoleezza Rice joined the Walton-Penner ownership group, including S. Robson Walton, Greg Penner, Carrie Walton Penner, Mellody Hobson, and Sir Lewis Hamilton, which agreed to buy the NFL team, the Denver Broncos, for $4.65 billion.
August 9, 2022: NFL Approved Broncos Purchase
On August 9, 2022, NFL owners approved the purchase of the Denver Broncos by the Walton-Penner ownership group, which included Condoleezza Rice.
2023: Rice Stresses Need for Candidates to Understand Ukraine Conflict
In 2023, after criticism of US support for Ukraine from former President Trump and Governor DeSantis, Rice emphasized the importance of presidential candidates understanding the essence of the conflict in Ukraine, framing it as defending a rules-based system where might does not equal right.
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