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 (2005-2009) and the 19th U.S. National Security Advisor (2001-2005) under President George W. Bush. Rice holds the distinction of being the first female African-American Secretary of State and the first woman to serve as National Security Advisor. Currently, she is the director of Stanford University's Hoover Institution, a position she has held since 2020. A Republican, Rice was, at one time, the highest-ranking woman in the presidential line of succession.

Sections (6)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition Challenges & Struggles Controversies & Scandals

1975: Obtained MA degree from the University of Notre Dame

In 1975, Condoleezza Rice obtained an MA degree in political science from the University of Notre Dame.

1977: First worked in 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.

1979: Studied Russian at Moscow State University

In the summer of 1979, Condoleezza Rice studied Russian at Moscow State University and interned with the RAND Corporation in Santa Monica, California.

1980: Fellow at Stanford University's Arms Control and Disarmament Program

From 1980 to 1981, Condoleezza Rice was a fellow at Stanford University's Arms Control and Disarmament Program, having won a Ford Foundation Dual Expertise Fellowship in Soviet Studies and International Security.

1981: Hired as assistant professor at Stanford University

Condoleezza Rice was hired by Stanford University as an assistant professor of political science from 1981 to 1987.

1981: Continued as a fellow at Stanford University

1981: Received PhD from the University of Denver

In 1981, Condoleezza Rice received a PhD from the School of International Studies at the University of Denver.

1981: Received PhD in political science

In 1981, at age 26, Condoleezza Rice received her PhD in political science from the Josef Korbel School of International Studies at the University of Denver.

1985: Drew attention of Brent Scowcroft

In 1985, at a meeting of arms control experts at Stanford, Condoleezza Rice's performance drew the attention of Brent Scowcroft, who had served as National Security Advisor under Gerald Ford.

1986: Appointed 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 at Stanford

In 1987, Condoleezza Rice was promoted to associate professor at Stanford University, a post she held until 1993.

1989: Joined the National Security Council

From 1989 to 1991, Condoleezza Rice served on the National Security Council as the Soviet and Eastern Europe affairs advisor to President George H. W. Bush during the dissolution of the Soviet Union and German reunification.

1989: Joined President George H.W. Bush's administration

In 1989, Condoleezza Rice joined President George H.W. Bush's administration as director of Soviet and East European affairs in the National Security Council.

1989: Joined the United States National Security Council

In 1989, with the election of George H. W. Bush, Brent Scowcroft returned to the White House as National Security Advisor and asked Condoleezza Rice to become his Soviet expert on the United States National Security Council.

March 1991: Served as senior director of Soviet and East European affairs

In March 1991, Condoleezza Rice served as senior director of Soviet and East European affairs in the National Security Council, during the fall of the Berlin Wall and the final days of the Soviet Union. She also wrote the "Chicken Kiev speech" and helped develop policies in favor of German reunification.

1991: Served on the National Security Council ends

1991: Returned to Stanford University

In 1991, Condoleezza Rice returned to Stanford University because she would have been ineligible for tenure if she had been absent for more than two years. She was also appointed to the boards of Transamerica Corporation in 1991.

1991: Returned to Stanford and appointed to committee

In 1991, Condoleezza Rice returned to her teaching position at Stanford and was appointed by California governor Pete Wilson to a bipartisan committee to draw new state legislative and congressional districts.

1992: Founded Center for New Generation

In 1992, Condoleezza Rice founded the Center for New Generation, an after-school program in East Palo Alto and eastern Menlo Park, California, aimed at improving high school graduation rates.

1992: Volunteered on the search committee at Stanford

In 1992, Condoleezza Rice volunteered to serve on the search committee to replace outgoing president Donald Kennedy at Stanford University.

1992: Recommended for spot on Chevron board

In 1992, George Shultz, who was a board member of Chevron Corporation, recommended Condoleezza Rice for a spot on the Chevron board. She was also appointed to the boards of Hewlett-Packard in 1992.

1993: Began academic fellowship at Stanford University

In 1993, Condoleezza Rice pursued an academic fellowship at Stanford University, where she served as provost from 1993 to 1999.

1993: End of role as associate professor at Stanford

In 1993, Condoleezza Rice's time as an associate professor at Stanford University came to an end.

1993: Appointed as Stanford's provost

In 1993, Gerhard Casper appointed Condoleezza Rice as Stanford's provost, making her the first female, first African-American, and youngest provost in Stanford's history. She was also granted tenure and became a full professor.

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 role as provost at Stanford University

From 1993 to 1999, Condoleezza Rice served as provost at Stanford University.

December 16, 2000: Named National Security Advisor

On December 16, 2000, Condoleezza Rice was named National Security Advisor, becoming the first woman to hold the position, and stepped down from her position at Stanford.

2000: Served as foreign policy advisor and gave speech at Republican National Convention

In 2000, Condoleezza Rice took a leave from Stanford to serve as George W. Bush's foreign policy advisor during his presidential campaign. She also gave a speech at the 2000 Republican National Convention.

2000: Joined the George W. Bush administration

On December 17, 2000, Condoleezza Rice joined the George W. Bush administration as national security advisor.

January 15, 2001: Resigned from Chevron's committee on public policy

On January 15, 2001, Condoleezza Rice resigned from her position as head of Chevron's committee on public policy to become National Security Advisor to President George W. Bush.

July 10, 2001: Met with CIA director George Tenet about potential al Qaeda attack

On July 10, 2001, Condoleezza Rice met with CIA director George Tenet in an "emergency meeting" at the White House to discuss the potential threat of an impending al Qaeda attack, and Rice asked Tenet to give a presentation to Secretary Donald Rumsfeld and Attorney General John Ashcroft.

July 2001: Met repeatedly with Tenet about terrorist threats

In July 2001, Condoleezza Rice stated that she had met repeatedly with CIA director George Tenet that summer about terrorist threats.

August 6, 2001: Characterized President's Daily Brief as historical information

Condoleezza Rice characterized the August 6, 2001, President's Daily Brief 'Bin Ladin Determined To Strike in US' as historical information.

September 11, 2001: Scheduled to outline new national security policy

On September 11, 2001, Condoleezza Rice was scheduled to outline a new national security policy that included missile defense and played down the threat of stateless terrorism.

2001: Stated September 11 attacks were rooted in oppression

As Secretary of State, Condoleezza Rice championed the expansion of democratic governments and 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.

2001: Condoleezza Rice became National Security Advisor

In 2001, Condoleezza Rice became the 19th U.S. National Security Advisor, a position she held until 2005.

April 2002: Performance at National Medal of Arts Awards

In April 2002, Rice accompanied cellist Yo-Yo Ma in playing Johannes Brahms's Violin Sonata in D minor at Constitution Hall for the National Medal of Arts Awards.

July 17, 2002: Met with CIA director George Tenet to convey approval of waterboarding

On July 17, 2002, Condoleezza Rice met with CIA director George Tenet to personally convey the Bush administration's approval of the proposed waterboarding of Abu Zubaydah.

December 8, 2002: Wrote editorial for The New York Times

After Iraq delivered its declaration of weapons of mass destruction to the United Nations on December 8, 2002, Condoleezza Rice wrote an editorial for The New York Times entitled "Why We Know Iraq Is Lying".

January 10, 2003: Interviewed 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: Reported on Bush's position on race-based preferences

On January 18, 2003, The Washington Post reported that Condoleezza Rice was involved in crafting Bush's position on race-based preferences, stating that race can be considered as "one factor among others" in university admissions policies.

October 2003: Named to run the Iraq Stabilization Group

In October 2003, Condoleezza Rice was named to run the Iraq Stabilization Group, tasked with quelling violence and speeding up reconstruction in Iraq and Afghanistan.

2003: Received U.S. Senator John Heinz Award

In 2003, Condoleezza Rice received the U.S. Senator John Heinz Award for Greatest Public Service by an Elected or Appointed Official.

2003: Briefed on the use of waterboarding

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 enhanced interrogation methods. They reaffirmed that the CIA program was lawful and reflected administration policy.

March 2004: Declined to testify before the 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) citing executive privilege. She later testified under pressure.

May 2004: Iraq Stabilization Group became virtually 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: Forbes names Rice world's most powerful woman

In August 2004, Forbes magazine named Condoleezza Rice the world's most powerful woman.

November 16, 2004: Nominated to be Secretary of State

On November 16, 2004, George W. Bush nominated Condoleezza Rice to be Secretary of State.

2004: Campaigned 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 a part of the Middle East that was festering and unstable.

January 2005: Rice Uses "Outposts of Tyranny" Term

In January 2005, during Bush's second inaugural ceremonies, Condoleezza Rice first used the term "outposts of tyranny" to refer to countries threatening world peace and human rights, identifying Cuba, Zimbabwe, Burma, Belarus, 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, with the negative votes relating to her actions in Iraq and the war on terrorism.

March 14, 2005: Rice declares she will not run for president

On March 14, 2005, Condoleezza Rice declared that she would not run for president of the United States.

July 29, 2005: Rice Discusses Confronting Ideologies that Fuel Terrorism

On July 29, 2005, Condoleezza Rice gave a speech asserting that counterterrorism involves confronting not only the governments and organizations that promote terrorism, but also the ideologies that fuel it.

August 2005: Ratings decreased following Hurricane Katrina

In August 2005, Condoleezza Rice's ratings decreased following a heated battle for her confirmation as Secretary of State and after Hurricane Katrina.

August 2005: Forbes names Rice world's most powerful woman again

In August 2005, Forbes magazine named Condoleezza Rice the world's most powerful woman for the second year in a row.

October 2005: Book about Rice and Hillary possible presidential race published

In October 2005, the book, "Condi vs. Hillary: The Next Great Presidential Race", by political strategist Dick Morris and his wife, Eileen McGann-Morris, was published.

October 16, 2005: Rice denies presidential run on Meet the Press

On October 16, 2005, Condoleezza Rice again denied she would run for president in 2008 during an appearance on NBC's Meet the Press, stating it was not something she wanted to do with her life.

December 18, 2005: Rice on Preventative Counter-Terrorism

In an interview on December 18, 2005, Condoleezza Rice emphasized that counter-terrorism should be preventative rather than punitive.

2005: Assumed office as Secretary of State

In 2005, Condoleezza Rice assumed office as Secretary of State and played an important role in trying to stop the nuclear threat from North Korea and Iran.

2005: Condoleezza Rice became Secretary of State

In 2005, Condoleezza Rice became the 66th United States Secretary of State, serving until 2009.

2005: Performance at Kennedy Center benefit concert

In 2005, Rice accompanied Charity Sunshine Tillemann-Dick, a 21-year-old soprano, for a benefit concert for the Pulmonary Hypertension Association at the Kennedy Center in Washington.

January 17, 2006: Laura Bush says she'd love to see Rice run for president

On January 17, 2006, Laura Bush implicated Condoleezza Rice when asked if she thought the United States would soon have a female president, stating that she'd love to see Rice run.

March 24, 2006: Laura Bush advocates for Rice to run for president

On March 24, 2006, Laura Bush advocated for Condoleezza Rice to run for president during an interview on CNN's Larry King Live, stating that Rice would make an excellent president.

August 2006: Forbes names Rice second most powerful woman in the world

In August 2006, Forbes magazine named Condoleezza Rice the second most powerful woman in the world, behind Angela Merkel.

2006: Asserted she did not recall specific July 2001 meeting

In 2006, Condoleezza Rice asserted that she did not recall the specific July 2001 meeting with CIA director George Tenet, but had met repeatedly with him that summer about terrorist threats.

March 19, 2007: Time Follows Up on Rice's Foreign Policy

In its March 19, 2007, issue, Time followed up on Condoleezza Rice, stating that she was "executing an unmistakable course correction in U.S. foreign policy."

April 2007: Rejected House subpoena

In April 2007, Condoleezza Rice rejected, on grounds of executive privilege, a House subpoena regarding the prewar claim that Iraq sought yellowcake uranium from Niger.

February 22, 2008: Rice plays down suggestion that she may be on the Republican vice presidential ticket

On February 22, 2008, Condoleezza Rice played down any suggestion that she may be on the Republican vice presidential ticket, stating that she has not seen herself running for elected office in the United States.

March 26, 2008: Rice attends Grover Norquist's meeting

On March 26, 2008, Condoleezza Rice attended Grover Norquist's Americans for Tax Reform conservative leader's meeting. This attendance was used as evidence by Dan Senor to suggest she was campaigning for the vice presidential nomination.

March 27, 2008: Rice "not interested" in VP run

On March 27, 2008, Condoleezza Rice stated in an interview with The Washington Times that she was "not interested" in running for vice president.

April 6, 2008: Dan Senor's claim about Rice's VP run

On April 6, 2008, Republican strategist Dan Senor claimed on ABC's This Week that Condoleezza Rice had been actively campaigning for the vice presidential nomination. Rice's spokesperson denied this.

Loading Video...

April 8, 2008: Rice denies any interest in serving as running mate for John McCain

On April 8, 2008, Condoleezza Rice denied any interest in serving as running mate for John McCain, stating that she intended instead to return to Stanford University.

August 2008: Sarah 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: Farewell interview

During a farewell interview in early December 2008, Condoleezza Rice indicated she would return to Stanford and the Hoover Institution.

December 2008: Rice Praises Clinton's Appointment as Secretary of State

In December 2008, Condoleezza Rice praised Barack Obama's selection of Hillary Clinton as Secretary of State, describing Clinton as "terrific" and capable.

January 2009: Plans for return to Stanford elaborated

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 Rice to a six-year term on the Board of Trustees of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts.

February 2009: Declined Pac-10 Commissioner position

In February 2009, Condoleezza Rice declined an offer to become a Pac-10 Commissioner, opting to return to Stanford University as a political science professor and fellow at the Hoover Institution.

February 2009: Rice signs three-book deal with Crown Publishers

In February 2009, Condoleezza Rice signed a three-book deal with Crown Publishers worth at least $2.5 million. The books would focus on her time in the White House, her role as America's top diplomat, and her contributions to shaping foreign policy from 2001 to 2009.

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 CIA to use torture

In April 2009, Condoleezza Rice stated that she did not authorize the CIA to use torture, but conveyed the authorization of the administration, subject to Justice Department clearance.

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 concluded.

August 2010: Received the U.S. Air Force Academy's 2009 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: Joined 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 on national security issues

In October 2010, Condoleezza Rice met with President Obama for a discussion on national security issues.

2010: Rice releases 'Extraordinary, Ordinary People: A Memoir of Family'

In 2010, Condoleezza Rice released "Extraordinary, Ordinary People: A Memoir of Family", a memoir about her upbringing.

Extraordinary, Ordinary People: A Memoir of Family

Check it on Amazon

May 2011: Appeared on 30 Rock

In May 2011, Condoleezza Rice appeared as herself on the NBC sitcom "30 Rock" in the fifth-season episode "Everything Sunny All the Time Always".

Loading Video...

May 2011: Commented on the killing of Osama bin Laden

In May 2011, Condoleezza Rice commented that the killing of Osama bin Laden was "gratifying". She also argued against removing troops from Afghanistan until the US finished helping the country "get more decent governance".

2011: Rice writes 'No Higher Honor: A Memoir of My Years in Washington'

In 2011, Condoleezza Rice wrote "No Higher Honor: A Memoir of My Years in Washington", a memoir of her time in the Bush administration.

No Higher Honor: A Memoir of My Years in Washington

Check it on Amazon

May 2012: Served as keynote speaker at SMU commencement ceremony

In May 2012, Condoleezza Rice served as the keynote speaker at the Southern Methodist University commencement ceremony and delivered a speech at the 2012 Republican National Convention.

August 2012: Romney Chooses Paul Ryan as Running Mate

In August 2012, Mitt Romney announced Paul Ryan as his running mate, ending speculation that Condoleezza Rice would be vetted for the vice presidency. Rice campaigned for the Romney-Ryan ticket.

October 2013: Rice selected to be inaugural member of the College Football Playoff selection committee

In October 2013, Condoleezza Rice was selected as one of the thirteen inaugural members of the College Football Playoff selection committee.

2013: Rice announces a book to be published in 2015

In 2013, it was announced that Condoleezza Rice was writing a book to be published in 2015 by Henry Holt & Company.

March 2014: Rice Joins Ban Bossy Campaign

In March 2014, Condoleezza 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 due to its harmful effect on young girls.

2014: Joined Ban Bossy Campaign

In 2014, Condoleezza Rice became a spokesperson for the Ban Bossy campaign, advocating for girls to take on leadership roles.

August 2015: High Point University Announces Rice as Commencement Speaker

In August 2015, High Point University announced Condoleezza Rice as the speaker for the 2016 commencement ceremony.

2015: Human Rights Watch called for investigation of Rice

In 2015, Human Rights Watch called for the investigation of Condoleezza Rice for conspiracy to torture and other crimes, citing her role in authorizing "enhanced interrogation techniques".

January 26, 2017: Rice talks with University of San Francisco

On January 26, 2017, Condoleezza Rice participated in a talk with the University of San Francisco, opining that the United States had entered "uncharted territory" with President Donald Trump due to his lack of government experience.

2017: Rice releases 'Democracy: Stories from the Long Road to Freedom'

In 2017, Condoleezza Rice released "Democracy: Stories from the Long Road to Freedom", a book in which she makes the case for democracy over totalitarianism or authoritarianism.

Democracy: Stories from the Long Road to Freedom

Check it on Amazon

November 18, 2018: Report surfaces that Rice was considered for Cleveland Browns head coach

On November 18, 2018, it was reported that Condoleezza Rice was being considered as a candidate for the Cleveland Browns' head coach position, a report that was subsequently denied by the team.

2018: Priebus, Pence and Rice in Woodward's Book

According to Bob Woodward's 2018 book Fear: Trump in the White House, Reince Priebus suggested to Donald Trump that he should drop out of the race, with Mike Pence replacing Trump as the Republican presidential nominee, and Condoleezza Rice agreeing to be Pence's running mate.

Fear: Trump in the White House

Check it on Amazon

January 2020: Announcement 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: Became the director of the Hoover Institution

On September 1, 2020, Condoleezza Rice became the director of the Hoover Institution.

2020: Condoleezza Rice became director of the Hoover Institution

In 2020, Condoleezza Rice became the 8th director of Stanford University's Hoover Institution.

2020: Bush writes in Rice for 2020 election

In 2020, former President George W. Bush revealed he wrote-in Condoleezza Rice in the election, but she told him she "would refuse to accept the office."

Out of Many, One: Portraits of America's Immigrants

Check it on Amazon

July 11, 2022: Joined Walton-Penner ownership group

On July 11, 2022, Condoleezza Rice joined the Walton-Penner ownership group, which had agreed to purchase the Denver Broncos NFL team for $4.65 billion.