She does seem to have the native intelligence to adapt to the situation and the best way to do that is to do that. Reagan didn't have a stellar academic record, either.
If I were to advise her, I would say to cultivate a group of smart, ambitious second tier foreign policy academics. There should be plenty to hitch their wagon to her star. Then, join some of the Foreign policy groups (yep, CFR first). Finally, she should pick a series of fights with conservative foreign policy wonks. That is where she can hone her skills and establish her creds.
Right now she is a little broadie who has a Great Adventure to tell her grandchildren about, but the potential is there. A lot of potential.
Preferably, the "Crusaders for Democracy" ie the Wolfowitz/Podhoretz Mafia that has lead only to disastrous wars and Mission Creep that belongs back in the Democratic party.
You can't just "join" the Council on Foreign Relations. You have to be invited, and sponsored by an existing member.
Sarah Palin as she is today, with her current principles and beliefs, would never be allowed in. Furthermore, if she should modify those principles and beliefs to become acceptable to the CFR, she'd no longer be the Sarah Palin most of us here could support.