James earned a bachelor’s degree in philosophy with a minor in economics from Whitman College in Walla Walla, Washington. During his time at Whitman he played varsity soccer and was active in campus ministry. After college he lived with undocumented farm workers while serving with the Intermountain AmeriCorps in Wenatchee, Washington. He went on to earn a master’s degree in teaching from Seattle University. Prior to entering the Society, he coached soccer and taught for three years at Eisenhower High School in Yakima, Washington. He completed his studies at ITESO (Western Institute of Technology and Higher Education) – Universidad Jesuita de Guadalajara in Mexico and performed his regency working at Verbum Dei High School in Los Angeles, CA. He is currently studying theology at Jesuit School of Theology of Santa Clara University in Berkeley, CA.