Shawn is responsible for the daily running of the offices of the McKeen Center. Providing administrative support for the Center director, staff, students, and faculty working with community service and community-based teaching/research programs, her primary responsibilities include management of the departmental budget and finances, event coordination, oversight of the departmental web pages, development of office publications, and general public relations.

Shawn was raised with the idea of community participation and service as part of her everyday life – giving whatever you can - no matter how little. Mostly through informal and unorganized service, she and her family regularly helped elderly neighbors and fellow church congregants in whatever way they needed. Currently Shawn is the chair of the board for Family Focus, a non-profit organization committed to providing affordable community-based services (childcare, special needs programming, information and referral, parenting support and education) for families with children in the Midcoast area. She also participates regularly in service projects directed through First Parish Church.