Volunteer Profile

Deb Pleasants

As a Chicago native, a mother, writer, former probation officer, volunteer, and with help from the Science Museum of Minnesota, a self-proclaimed RACE expert, Deb Pleasants has always had her hands full. Since retiring from her 15-year criminal justice career, Pleasants took up spending time with her children and volunteering, which the museum has benefited from immensely.

Prior to volunteering at the museum, Pleasants vividly reflects on visiting here on multiple occasions with her son as each new Omnitheater film debuted. After becoming a member of the museum with her family, Pleasants became aware of the upcoming volunteer opportunities available. With RACE: Are We So Different being the exhibit on the forefront at that time, she took her recent exploration of her own genetic history into account and applied. She had no doubt that it was an educational venture for her. "The idea of RACE was so phenomenal and I thought, 'Wow, I want to be a part of that!'" Pleasants explained.

With a 7 year-old son at home, Pleasants' main priority with any commitment was flexibility, which she feels the museum allows for. She had the ability to take the summer off to spend time with her family. Even when she returned to her weekly 4-hour commitment in the fall, she still had the ability to be home for her son after school. Since A Day in Pompeii and RACE were temporary exhibits, Pleasants felt that a small commitment with the "fantastic volunteer program" the museum offers was well-worth the time she invested.

In fact, Pleasants has begun to think that representatives from the museum must be following her because the exhibits have started to parallel her life. Initially, her interest in RACE was sparked because of the studies she did on her own DNA. Currently, her motive to continue her volunteering venture is based on her newest personal fascination on the subject. Pleasants has spent the past few months reading a series of Roman mystery novels to her son. It was after finishing the third in the series, one based entirely on the forgotten city of Pompeii, that Pleasants discovered the next exhibit would be centered on that very topic. "I have to be a part of this exhibit, too!" Pleasants said.

As is evident from her research and investment in these topics, Pleasants feels that she has taken away just as much as she has been able to contribute while volunteering at the museum. After working in an exhibit for a few months, "you've digested so much knowledge; it's like having a miniature bachelors degree on the topic," Pleasants feels.

Thank you for your contribution to the museum and your continued passion for the exhibits, Deb. We hope you remain a volunteer at the museum for many years to come!