JMU Federal Dukes Spotlight: Sierra Stanczyk — For FBI Intelligence Analyst, now PwC Threat Intelligence

Professional Bio

Sierra Stanczyk is the Intelligence Operations Lead for PwC Threat Intelligence and she also serves as a strategic analyst for priority geopolitical and cybersecurity issues. Prior to joining PwC in 2021, Sierra served as the Intelligence Program Coordinator for FBI Philadelphia, capping off 12 years with the FBI working intelligence, cyber, and other security matters. Sierra joined the FBI after graduating from JMU in 2009, and she earned her master’s in cybersecurity from UMBC in 2014.

JMU Major / Year Graduated

International Affairs — 2009

Why did you choose JMU?

I chose JMU because I wanted to work for the federal government and JMU had so much to offer to help me achieve that goal and enter civil service. JMU had the major I was most interested in (international affairs and Arabic language courses), and its proximity to DC and most notably its Washington Semester program sealed the deal for me. I saw the opportunity as a way to experience JMU and all that it has to offer while being able to intern in DC for a semester.

How did your degree from JMU lead you to where you are today?

JMU was and continues to be essential to my career. Between my degree and my internship during the Washington Semester, I landed my first job with the FBI upon graduation. I regularly leaned on my JMU network as I started out and even found many Dukes in the FBI and other agencies. When I became an intelligence analyst, all of the research and writing rigor from JMU came into play, and between the Political Science Department and Alumni Board, I have stayed connected to JMU while at PwC.

What does working for the Federal Government community mean to you?

Working for, and now alongside, the federal government has always been important to me. Growing up I wanted to be involved in the government, and after 9/11 I focused that more toward national security. My 12 years with the FBI were truly life changing. I learned so much, worked a lot of interesting cases, and further scoped my priorities and interests for my long term career in intelligence — to support of US national security and broader digital safety and privacy efforts.