Anji Hunter, the former Director of Government Relations for Blair, was receiving an honorary Doctor of Letters at the university's award ceremonies at Brighton Dome yesterday.
Sam Davies, the university's Director of Philanthropy and Alumni Engagement, said the award was in recognition of her contributions to the industries of communications and public affairs management "and for the way her outstanding expertise has transcended a wide range of sectors".
Ms Hunter, now senior adviser at Endelman, the world's biggest PR company, graduated from the university with a first class degree in humanities and soon afterwards was asked by Blair, then a newly-elected MP, to become his research assistant.
She said: "I never thought ten years later I would be helping the first Labour Prime Minister for 18 years to appoint his Cabinet."
She advised graduates: "Be prepared to throw yourself into an adventure, seize your moments. Seek out good work, love your work and work hard."
Ms Hunter said she was a frequent visitor to the city: "I don't need to tell you what a fantastic place Brighton is and how lucky we are to be associated with it.
"And I owe everything to my degree from Brighton, the horizons that were opened up to me, the encouragement and education I received, the support my tutors and friends gave me.
"I am immensely proud of the BA from here, as I'm sure you are, and I know it will stand you in good stead forever."