Since winter quarter of 2022, Niq Ruud has been PUC’s director of student involvement– a role he has had to manage student organizations and clubs, the Student Association, and the Campus Center, along with facilitating various campus events and activities, community service opportunities, and new student orientation, among other things. He started teaching as an adjunct in the fall of 2022, which led to him becoming an assistant professor of history, a role which he began full-time in July of this year.

What brought you to PUC? Why did you decide to work here? 

I’ve long wanted to teach at the college level and, as such, thought coming to PUC and working on staff might lend itself to an opportunity such as the one outlined above. As far as timelines go, it really could not have worked out any better as it coincides nicely with the start of writing my PhD at Edinburgh this fall- and for that, I’m very grateful. 

Beyond professional aspirations, however, my partner has spent most of her life in California. I’ve always enjoyed visiting the state, especially with such fantastic alpine climbing only a few hours away in the Sierras. But living in the Napa Valley has its perks: fantastic cycling and surfing not far away, San Francisco is a quick zip south, and a very peaceful yet beautiful place to live in Angwin.

What do you appreciate the most from your department? 

I’m in this rather intriguing middle ground as I transition between departments this quarter. While working in Student Life, I’ve been very appreciative of my supervisors—Ryan Smith and JR Rogers—both of whom allowed me space to be creative and lead in my own unique way. 

In thinking about my move to the History Department, I am very much looking forward to having Laura Wibberding as a colleague; it seems as though our philosophies of education ought to serve our department well moving into the future.

What do you want people to know about your department?

Regarding Student Life, I want students to know that, when leveraged, they have immense power to dictate campus happenings. Speaking up and making clear their desires to those who work in Student Life and adjacent divisions is just about the most helpful thing they can do to facilitate the change they want to see. 

As for the History Department, I’d encourage students to take classes from us no matter their major or perceived career trajectory. For me, it is important to be building transferable skills, applicable to the workforce across disciplines. In my courses, this looks like little to no reliance on the memorization and regurgitation model, where, instead, we are more focused on creating systems, doing research, writing, and spending time in a group conversation to not only hear multiple perspectives but learn to sift through them critically.

What is your favorite thing about being a part of the Pioneers community? 

I like how chill the campus is. I think some people mistake that for apathy, but it’s more like a simmering pot. There’s a sense of purpose here, yet it coexists with a laid-back vibe that makes PUC a great place to learn.

Do you have a favorite place to eat in the Napa Valley? If so, where and why?

This is easy: La Gitana, a taco truck just west of Calistoga. The hours are whack, so I rarely eat there—but it’s great every time I do. Make sure to bring cash, otherwise, you’ll have to pay an extra dollar out of pocket per order.

Where is your dream vacation, and why? 

I have a list of several dream vacations that I’m hoping to tick off this summer with my more flexible schedule:

• Cycle from Boston to San Francisco.
• Climb the Nose of El Capitan, Yosemite.
• Ride a dirt bike from Oslo, Norway to Singapore.
• Climb and ski in Denali, Alaska.
• Sail down the west coast of the Americas.

If money, time, and feasibility were no object, I think a Europe-Africa-Asia road trip in my little van would be killer.

What would students be surprised to find out about you? 

While in undergrad, I was a bit of a social media influencer, picking up a sponsorship from Adidas Terrex and Five Ten and winning several grants from the American Alpine Club for some first ascents in the Pacific Northwest.

Finish this sentence: On Sunday mornings you can find me… 

In Yosemite—fist deep in some of the best Granite the world has to offer.