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 Queen’s University in Belfast, Northern Ireland.
Clinton’s term as a chancellor will last for five years and her tenure began on January 1, 2020.
In a press release, Queen’s University Pro-Chancellor Stephen Prenter said, “Secretary Clinton has made a considerable contribution to Northern Ireland and as an internationally recognized leader will be an incredible advocate for Queen’s and an inspirational role model for the Queen’s community.”
The press release also noted that as “Secretary of State, [Clinton] focused on economic development to underpin the emergence of a strong and competitive Northern Ireland,” and “as First Lady, [Clinton] made a considerable contribution to the Northern Ireland peace process.”
In a statement on Twitter, Clinton wrote, “It’s my great privilege to become Queen’s University Belfast’s 11th—and first female—chancellor. It’s a place I have great fondness for and have grown a strong relationship with over the years, and I’m proud to be an ambassador for its excellence.”
It’s my great privilege to become @QUBelfast's 11th—and first female—chancellor. It's a place I have great fondness for and have grown a strong relationship with over the years, and I’m proud to be an ambassador for its excellence. https://t.co/ysrSeA0JOu
— Hillary Clinton (@HillaryClinton) January 2, 2020
According to the University, Clinton’s new title comes with three duties “a ceremonial one which involves presiding at degree congregations; an ambassadorial role, where the office holder helps to “open doors” for the University as it seeks to fulfill its mission; and finally as an “advisor” to the administrators.
Clinton spoke at Queen’s University Belfast in 2018 — 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 — the BBC noted at the time that Northern Ireland hadn’t had a functioning government since 2017. Clinton also visited the city of Belfast during her tenure as the First Lady in 1995.
