ABOUT
With over 10 years of experience in Special Recreation, Shawna Burnice has dedicated her career to supporting individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. As the Director for the IRVSRA, she is passionate about helping people achieve their leisure and recreational goals, empowering them to discover their strengths and build confidence through specialized & inclusive activities. Shawna believes in the transformative power of leisure & recreation and lives by her professional motto, "Improving lives, one activity at a time."

Shawna holds a Bachelor's degree in Psychology from Eastern Illinois University and is currently working towards a graduate degree in Therapeutic Recreation at SUNY Cortland. She is a Member of Psi Chi International Honor Society in Psychology. Her dedication and passion for empowering individuals within the special needs community drive her every day, fueling her commitment to making a lasting impact in their lives through her work.

Outside of work, Shawna loves spending time with her family, including her husband, son, three dogs, one cat, and one very old turtle. She’s an avid reader, enjoys indulging in a good cup of espresso, fountain Coke, and sour candy, and has a genuine love for animals. When the need arises, she is a parent volunteer at Faith Baptist Christian School in Pekin. Her fascination with true crime runs deep, and on the fiction side she’s a huge fan of SVU—she hasn’t missed an episode since its debut in September 1999. Additionally, Shawna is a big fan of anything related to It’s a Wonderful Life. Shawna takes pride in working for the Pekin Park District, leveraging the connections she builds with families to strengthen a sense of community in both her personal and professional life.