DUDLEY, Mass. - Former Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito made a rare public appearance Tuesday, visiting Nichols College to speak with students about business, politics, and women's issues.

Nichols College and the school's Institute for Women's Leadership hosted the event. Polito served as lieutenant governor for eight years, and was only the fourth woman to serve in the office in the state.

When asked how she thinks new Lt. Gov. Kim Driscoll is doing, Polito said she was happy to see a woman succeed her and thinks both Driscoll and Gov. Maura Healey are working well together.

"The new administration coming in, kind of picking up that theme and working together, focusing on the really important headwinds that are facing this Commonwealth around talent development, housing, making Massachusetts more affordable," said Polito. "They have a tax package before the legislature that is very similar to the one that we proposed, so it's good that people rise up and want to serve in these public positions. They're hard jobs, and I’m grateful that they were willing to take it on."

Polito was recently appointed the board of directors at Berkshire Hills, the parent company of Berkshire Bank, along with joining the advisory council at Firefly health.