José is a graduate from Patrick Henry High School in North Minneapolis where he studied under the International Baccalaureate curriculum and received the IB Diploma. José participated in Admission Possible, which helped him to earn admission to Hamline University. He is currently a sophomore at Hamline taking courses to complete a Political Science and Spanish double major. José volunteers around the community, most recently involved in the Get Ready Program, and a tutoring and mentoring program at Hamline University. José is the eldest son of two immigrant parents from Peru, who although both had passed through college were unable, for several factors, to pursue their careers in the United States. José is as of yet undecided in terms of after college plans.