Born and raised in rural Pennsylvania, Adam entered the University of Pittsburgh as a pre-medical student and graduated with a degree in classical languages and philosophy. While teaching in Pittsburgh, he was accepted into the National Endowment for the Humanities' Dante Seminar in Siena, Italy. After travelling and studying in Italy, Adam was invited to teach at Veritas Preparatory Academy in Phoenix, Arizona where he taught the Latin language and Greek literature for nine years. He earned a master's degree from the University of Dallas in humanities, with a concentration in classical education, before coming to study in Hillsdale at the Van Andel Graduate School of Statesmanship.