The University of Hawaii Richardson School of Law announced Thursday that one of its law professors has been appointed to a position in the Biden Administration.

Maxine Burkett will be a senior advisor with the Office of the Special Presidential Envoy for Climate and work with former Secretary of State John Kerry on international climate change issues and negotiations.

Burkett, according to a UH press release, has taught at the law school since 2009 where she is an expert in climate law and policy. In 2015 she was appointed to serve on the Federal Advisory Committee for the Sustained National Climate Assessment.

“As someone born in an island community in Jamaica, as an immigrant to the United States, and now raising my children in an island community here in Hawaii, I’m very excited to bring these perspectives to the table as 21st century climate policy is developed,” said Burkett. “It is time to treat the climate crisis like the emergency it is and I’m proud to be joining an administration that is restoring our international standing on climate issues and being crystal clear that equity must be part of all climate solutions.”

Burkett will take a leave of absence during the appointment with the State Department. She is also stepping down from several local and national boards including the Blue Planet Foundation.