Adams served as the Director of Counseling and TEsting at Everett Community College in Everett, Washington for twenty-five years. After his Army service in Japan, he began his academic endeavors--five years after dropping out of high school in Detroit. He began at Wayne State University in Detroit, and earned his Bachelor's degree in Sociology there. It was followed by a Master of Science degree in Counseling Psychology from the University of Oregon, and finally a Ph.D. in the Administration of Urban Community Colleges from the University of Washington.