Melissa Jensen

Superintendent of Recreation
FOIA Officer
Phone: (815) 320-3500 ext. 3505

Melissa joined the LWSRA team in 2008 as an inclusion aide and program leader. She joined the office staff in 2011 as the Recreation Specialist overseeing Summer Camp, Special Events and tasked with starting the TITANS Adult Daytime program. She eventually transitioned to oversee youth programs and inclusion services. In 2018, she was promoted to the Manager of Programs before accepting her current role as Superintendent of Recreation in 2020. Melissa attended Lewis University and University of St. Francis where she graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Recreation Administration with a concentration in Therapeutic Recreation. In 2021 she obtained her CTRS certification as a Certified Recreation Specialist through the National Council for Therapeutic Recreation Certification.

Melissa grew up in the Lincoln-Way area and enjoys live music, staying active and sports. She studied special education in college before deciding the therapeutic recreation path was where her heart lies.