Representative Nathan Coulter Meets with Students at Perpich Arts High School

January 12, 2026

Perpich was pleased to welcome Minnesota Representative Nathan Coulter (51B) to campus on January 12, 2026. Rep. Coulter met with a group of student leaders who are taking active roles in building community and learning how their voices matter.

Representative Nathan Coulter (51B) with Perpich Arts High School students and leadership. Pictured (left to right) are: Allegra Smisek, Executive Director; Ruth Civettini (Musical Theater 2026); Rep. Nathan Coulter; Jalena Gumban (Literary Arts 2026); Samantha Holt (Visual Arts 2026); Ajay Nicholas (Visual Arts 2026); Raleo Nguyen (Visual Arts 2026); Dr. Paul Hustoles, Board Member; and Rebecca Bullen, Perpich Arts High School Principal.

Representative Coulter, who asked to be called “Nathan” during the visit, shared his path from music education to public service. He reflected on his years serving both in the Minnesota Legislature and on the Perpich board. He emphasized Perpich’s statewide impact, noting that the school continues to matter deeply to students across Minnesota.

Student leaders shared how that impact shows up daily. This year, students are leading community building sessions from AmazeWorks, an organization that uses anti-bias education theory as a model for identity development. The series of monthly advisory modules focuses on belonging, identity, and connection. One student explained that modules explore “what it means to belong… and how we can further extend that connection, whether across our school or even outside of it.”

Other students highlighted how Perpich differs from previous school experiences. “Even our worst days at Perpich don’t really compare to our best days at our last schools,” one student said. “We feel so comfortable here. There’s always someone you can go to.”

Their leadership extends beyond the classroom. Students described organizing community art events through the National Art Honor Society, serving as dorm RAs, and publishing “The Goose”, a statewide literary magazine created to expand opportunities for young writers. One editor shared that working on the magazine taught them “what it’s like to be a publisher… it’s hard work, but very useful.”

The message from both students and adults was clear: leadership doesn’t require an invitation. “Decisions are made by people who show up,” Nathan told the students. Perpich staff were proud to see students doing exactly that; showing up, speaking out, and shaping their community.

Representative Nathan Coulter (51B) was first elected State Representative in 2022. He’s lived in Bloomington his entire life, and is proud to be a product of the Bloomington Public Schools. His mother was a math teacher, and faculty union leader, at Normandale Community College for decades, and his father practiced law, too. Coulter’s young family loves to live within walking distance of Moir Park and Nine Mile Creek. He earned a BA in Music and Political Science from St. Olaf College, and his MPA in Health, Housing, and Education Policy Leadership from the Humphrey School at the U of M. Before he was elected to the House, Coulter served five years on the Bloomington City Council. In that role, he represented the city on the 169 Corridor Coalition, the State Community Health Services Advisory Committee, and the Bloomington Housing and Redevelopment Authority. He also served on the Board for Perpich Center for Arts Education (appointed by Gov. Dayton), and was a Sunday School Teacher for 13 years at Mt Olivet Lutheran Church in Minneapolis.