During his childhood, he was always interested in helping other people. He was active in the local community, and he developed strong relationships with his family members and friends. After finishing high school, he went on to attend Portland State University, where he was active in a wide variety of student life organizations. He took classes in numerous areas until he figured out how he could put his skills to use in a way that would not only challenge him intellectually but also put him in a position to help others. He excelled at Portland State University, and he graduated with a BA in 1985.