Condoleezza

Condoleezza Rice is an American politician, diplomat, and academic. She was born on November 14, 1954, in Birmingham, Alabama. Rice earned her bachelor's degree in political science from the University of Denver, where she was a psychology major and graduated with honors.

Rice holds a Ph.D. in political science from the University of Notre Dame, where she specialized in Soviet and Eastern European foreign policy. She also earned a master's degree in political science from the University of Notre Dame.

Rice's career in politics began as an intern with the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. She later served in various positions in the United States government, including deputy national security adviser during the administration of President George H. W. Bush. In 2001, she became the U.S. Secretary of State, serving two terms under President George W. Bush.

During her tenure as Secretary of State, Rice played a key role in shaping U.S. foreign policy, particularly with regards to terrorism, the Middle East, and the Cold War's remaining issues. The U.S. invasion of Iraq in 2003, a decision criticized by many, was also made with Rice's support.

Rice holds the title of Douglas Dillon Professor of Dulles at Stanford University and has been a professor of international relations at the university since 1997. She has written several books, including a memoir, "No Higher Honor," and a strategic analysis of international politics, "Extraordinary, Ordinary People."

Rice is a recipient of the Naismith Award and the Access of Color Award. She was also appointed to the Pontifical Academy of Social Sciences by Pope Benedict XVI in 2006. Rice's extensive diplomatic and academic background has been the subject of various acclaimed books and autobiographies.