Nate Ruechel

Nate teaches courses in ancient and modern humanities, music, and general education, and this is his fourth year at the College of Southern Idaho.

A cultural historian by training, Nate is deeply interested in how people create meaning in their lives and shape their identities through creative expression. He holds a Ph.D. in musicology and has worked extensively in archives including the Library of Congress, the New York Public Library, and the Idaho State Archives. He has also served as a consultant for the Idaho State Board of Education and the U.S. Department of Education.

In the classroom, Nate values the perspectives students bring with them. His courses are built around the idea that understanding is something we create together. Students are encouraged to bring their own experiences into conversation with the past, building skills in critical thinking, communication, creativity, and self-awareness along the way.

Students are often surprised by how rewarding it can be to slow down and truly engage with historical texts and how much they can discover through that process.

Nate’s goal is simple: to help students embrace challenge, think deeply, and gain a greater appreciation for the diversity of human experience.

Outside of CSI, he enjoys traveling, camping, and spending time with his family and their pets — a dog named Bandit and two cats, Treble and Clef. A fun fact? Nate comes from a football family and even played in the Wisconsin All State game in high school.