Carla Stamper brings a wealth of real-world experience to her role as an instructor in START’s Graduate Certificate in Insider Risk Management and Mitigation. With a career dedicated to threat analysis, force protection, and insider threat mitigation, she has worked extensively in security and risk management. In this Instructor Spotlight, she shares her journey from the military to academia and how diverse perspectives enrich learning for all.
What is your current position?
I am the instructor for the BSST 652 - Managing Insider Threat Activities course, which introduces students to critical concepts in insider threat assessment, management, and mitigation.
How did you become interested in your field of study?
In the aftermath of 9/11, I was repositioned to a security-related position within the US Army. That repositioning sparked a new passion in my life. I dedicated my life’s work to security in multiple areas – threat analysis, force protection, antiterrorism, operations security, emergency management, and eventually insider threat.
What academic accomplishment are you most proud of?
I served as a host and mentor for US Army Military Academy (West Point) cadets from 2019-2023. Watching these young, brilliant students graduate and become the leaders and protectors of our nation is a great honor. I am also proud to be an editor for the West Point Managing Insider Risk and Organizational Resilience Journal.
What or who has been most influential in shaping your career?
9/11 completely changed my life. As a young soldier, I thought I knew what I wanted to be when I grew up, but on that day, I was removed from my job, given a weapon, and placed in front of a gate. I learned the intricacies of how to secure an installation. I also found out over the next 18 months that I had an interest and a knack for security. Once I separated from the Army, I used my GI Bill to obtain a B.S. and a M.S. in Criminal Justice and Security. Those degrees led me to serve as a civil servant for the Department of the Army at Fort Hood (now Cavasos) in the field of Force Protection/Antiterrorism. I was part of the team that handled the MAJ Nadal Hassan and SPC Ivan Lopez shootings and the thwarting of the PFC Jason Abdo bombing plot.
What was your first course and when did you first start teaching?
Although I was an instructor while serving as an Army civilian, this course is my first teaching within the university system.
What is your favorite part of teaching?
I love hearing diverse opinions and learning about the different experiences from my students. We tend to form group think and listening to those outside of my immediate “box” gives me a new perspective. I grow from that as much as my students grow from hearing about mine.
What is your best piece of career advice?
Never say no to a training opportunity. You never know when you might accidentally fall into a new career path like I did. I had no idea security was my “jam” until I was thrown into it. Your happily ever after might just be on a new and unexpected path.
Outside of work, what do you do for fun?
I love reading (fantasy, history, crime – well, just about anything), traveling, researching family genealogy, and doing home improvements (my home is in constant improvement somewhere).
Interested in learning more about Carla Stamper? Visit her START profile. To learn more and apply for START’s Graduate Certificate in Insider Risk Management and Mitigation, click here.