Alysse Dowdy

Alysse Dowdy currently serves as the Leadership Development Operations of the Virginia Institute of Government at UVA’s Weldon Cooper Center for Public Service. She works closely with the leadership of the professional association, The Virginia Local Government Management Association (VLGMA) to plan their annual professional development conferences and manage their communications. In addition, Alysse coordinates The Center for Excellence in Public Service, a partnership with The School of Data Science, to support localities use of data for good governance. 

Before joining the Weldon Cooper Center, Alysse began her career as a first-grade teacher in Washington, D.C. and later as a School Education Manager in a preschool facility where she gained experience coaching other education professionals while balancing the needs of the organization, all to ensure all children receive a high-quality early childhood education.  

Alysse is a graduate of the University of Virginia where she earned degrees in Youth & Social Innovation and American Studies with a concentration in Race & Ethnicity. She went on to attain her Masters in Elementary Education from Johns Hopkins University.