Sycamore | The Midwest Museum of Natural History, 425 W. State St. in Sycamore, boasts the display of over a hundred mounted animals, live animals and one of the largest stuffed elephants in the country. Molly Holman gets to be the executive director of it all.

Holman grew up in the suburbs and came to NIU to earn a degree in visual communications with a minor in anthropology. After graduating in 2002, she began working at the Burpee Museum of Natural History, 737 N. Main St. in Rockford, as an exhibits manager. When she realized she wanted to work with animals, she started working at the Cosley Zoo, 1356 N. Gary Ave. in Wheaton.

“I wanted to start making an impact in the community where I lived,” Holman said.

This motivated Holman to seek employment closer to her home in DeKalb.

Since becoming the executive director in February 2010, Holman’s tasks change from day to day.

“Some days I may be teaching pre-school classes, others I am taking care of the animals or working with scouts,” Holman said.

Due to a small staff and few volunteers, Holman and others have the opportunity to work in different areas within the museum, which leads to a different experience each day.

Holman also works with NIU’s Sigma Gamma Epsilon. The group is an Earth sciences society that works on a geology project requiring identification and the exhibition of various rocks.

“Molly is a pleasure to work with,” said Amy Gahala, president of Sigma Gamma Epsilon. “She encourages our ideas for the displays and helps steer them to museum specifications.”

The museum also has an extensive volunteer program, which includes an internship program. Holman has worked with many interns, all of which have been NIU students. Holman said she is still looking for other interns, which is open to many majors including marketing, education and biology, or anyone who is interested in gaining experience with a museum.

When she isn’t working at the MMNH, Holman said she enjoys spending her time volunteering with a Hippotherapy program, a form of Equine therapy that teaches special needs children how to ride horses.

Holman said she also enjoys spending her time ballroom dancing. She takes classes through NIU, Kishwaukee Community College and some in Rockford. Holman encourages anyone with an interest in natural history to visit the museum.

“It offers a cheap alternative and is a good option for kids who aren’t ready for a full day museum trip,” Holman said.