From 1976 to 1981, Radice served as architectural historian in the office of the Architect of the Capitol, and then was promoted to curator until 1985, under George M. White.
The committee, formed in response to the 1970 UNESCO Convention, promoted long-term measures to safeguard cultural heritage.
In 2003, Radice returned to government work by being appointed Chief of Staff for United States Secretary of Education Rod Paige until 2005.
That year, she also stepped in as Acting Assistant Chairman for Programs of the National Endowment for the Humanities, and was ultimately appointed Director of the Institute of Museum and Library Services by President George W. Bush, succeeding Robert S. Martin.
She would spend a decade there, while simultaneously returning to work for the National Endowment for the Humanities as Director of the Division of Public Programs in 2018.