Hillary Clinton has mostly stayed away from the spotlight since her unsuccessful 2016 campaign, but now the former Senator and Secretary of State has a new title: Chancellor at Queenâs University in Belfast, Northern Ireland.
Clintonâs term as a chancellor will last for five years and her tenure began on January 1, 2020.
In a press release, Queenâs University Pro-Chancellor Stephen Prenter said, âSecretary Clinton has made a considerable contribution to Northern Ireland and as an internationally recognized leader will be an incredible advocate for Queenâs and an inspirational role model for the Queenâs community.â
The press release also noted that as âSecretary of State, focused on economic development to underpin the emergence of a strong and competitive Northern Ireland,â and âas First Lady, made a considerable contribution to the Northern Ireland peace process.â
In a statement on Twitter, Clinton wrote, âItâs my great privilege to become Queenâs University Belfastâs 11thâand first femaleâchancellor. Itâs a place I have great fondness for and have grown a strong relationship with over the years, and Iâm proud to be an ambassador for its excellence.â
According to the University, Clintonâs new title comes with three duties âa ceremonial one which involves presiding at degree congregations; an ambassadorial role, where the office holder helps to âopen doorsâ for the University as it seeks to fulfill its mission; and finally as an âadvisorâ to the administrators.
Clinton spoke at Queenâs University Belfast in 2018 â during a ceremony in which she received an honorary degree and in which the school announced a scholarship in her name.
During her speech at the ceremony, Clinton called for an interim government in Northern Ireland â the BBC noted at the time that Northern Ireland hadnât had a functioning government since 2017. Clinton also visited the city of Belfast during her tenure as the First Lady in 1995.