Lancy Downs is a senior policy analyst in the Center on Education and Labor at New America (CELNA), where she focuses on postsecondary pathways for youth. She supports research and technical assistance activities across the Partnership to Advance Youth Apprenticeship (PAYA), a national initiative working to expand apprenticeship as a high-quality postsecondary option for young adults, and other projects in CELNA’s youth pathways portfolio. Her research explores federal pathways policy, state apprenticeship policy, dual enrollment, braided and blended funding for work-based learning, and degree apprenticeships. She also leads the PAYA Youth Council, a youth leadership development initiative within PAYA that brings together youth apprentices from around the country to develop ideas and strategies for improving youth apprenticeship.
Earlier in her career, Downs worked at the Convergence Center for Policy Resolution and the National Conference of State Legislatures, as well as in strategic communications for education and social services clients. She earned a master of public administration at George Washington University’s Trachtenberg School of Public Policy and Public Administration and holds a BA in art history from Tufts University. Originally from New England, she now lives and works in Washington, DC.