Pate completed his Bachelor of Interdisciplinary Studies in Adventure Business and Entrepreneurship at TRU. Courtney supervised his undergraduate research project that focused on conflict resolution strategies for multi-use trail systems.  Pate is an aspiring ski guide, and during the summers he works as a hiking and paddling guide in Kootenay National Park. He completed his Master’s in Environmental Science at TRU where he worked on sustainable management of trail systems in alpine environments. Pate was awarded both the TRU Graduate Mentor Award and the Canada Graduate Scholarship (SSHRC) for 2017-2018.