Charles graduated from Harvard in 1999 with a Master’s Degree in Public Policy and a concentration in Business and Government. Because of his previous public service activities, Charles was awarded one of Harvard’s first Public Service Fellowships complete with two years full tuition and an additional $5,000 per year for living expenses.
Charles was very active as a graduate student at Harvard and served as Student Body President, Lead Orientation Advisor, and Representative for the Harvard Graduate Council. Because of his demonstrated commitment to public service, Charles was selected to speak at graduation and was awarded the Robert F. Kennedy Award for Excellence in Public Service, one of Harvard’s highest honors for public service. A few years after graduation, Harvard featured Charles as a “Public Service Innovator” for his work creating Ethos Music Center.
Charles attended the University of Portland for his undergraduate work and graduated magna cum laude in the honor’s program with a bachelor’s degree in political science. At the University of Portland, Charles served as the Ranking Senator on the ASUP Senate, as Coffeehouse Chair of the Campus Programming Board, Disc Jockey for KDUP, and Orientation Advisor. Charles was also a member of the University of Portland Honor’s Program, Alpha Lambda Delta Honor’s Society, and the Blue Key Honor Society. At graduation, Charles was awarded the Leadership Award from the Honors Program and the Leadership Award from the Political Science Department. A few years after graduation, Charles was awarded the Contemporary Alumni Award from the University of Portland in honor of his numerous public service activities.