Marietta Cordero’s connection to Lebanon Valley College began long before she enrolled in its Master of Science in Intelligence and Security Studies (MSISS) program. As a student-athlete at Hood College, she faced off against LVC on the field hockey pitch. Years later, a trusted mentor and LVC alum recommended the MSISS program when Cordero M’25 expressed her desire to advance her career. The program turned out to be exactly what she needed to navigate the complexities of her role as a Cryptographic Vulnerability Analyst with the Department of Defense.

Cordero entered the program seeking clarity within the vast, ever-evolving landscape of government roles and opportunities.

“This degree has been instrumental in refining my focus,” she explained. “It has also instilled in me the understanding that there will always be more to learn as our technologies and adversaries continue to evolve.”

The MSISS program at LVC bridges academic concepts with real-world challenges, making it highly relevant to Cordero’s work. Weekly assignments include analyses of intelligence community podcasts, fostering a deep understanding of current issues and diverse perspectives. These skills directly translate to her role, where she collaborates with agencies, defense contractors, and the armed forces to enhance national security.

“The courses leverage real-time threats to shape our understanding of how to address these challenges. Moreover, they emphasize the importance of learning from past attacks to mitigate better and prevent future ones,” she said.

The expertise of LVC’s professors has been a cornerstone of Cordero’s experience.

“Dr. [Mustafa] Kirisci has facilitated numerous discussions with experts from various sectors in the intelligence community,” Cordero explained. “These conversations provided deep insights into the diverse opportunities across these fields and highlighted the crucial role that networking plays in achieving career success.”

Balancing a demanding job with graduate studies can be challenging, but the structured, week-by-week format of the MSISS program has allowed Cordero to excel.

“This level of organization allows me to stay on track and complete my work on time, even while balancing a full-time job,” she shared. The program’s flexibility ensures that students like her can seamlessly integrate their learning into their professional lives.

Cordero’s journey through LVC’s MSISS program advanced her career and deepened her passion for national security. By equipping her with critical thinking skills, practical experience, and a broad network, the program has positioned her to thrive in an ever-changing field.