Mark Koltko-Rivera was born in 1956 to a multi-ethnic family (as reflected in his name). He was raised in the Greenwich Village neighborhood of Manhattan, New York City. He is a graduate of Regis High School (in New York City), Haverford College (BA), Fordham University (MSinEd), and New York University (PhD). He now lives in New York City. Mark is noted for his work in psychology, Freemasonry, the Latter-day Saint faith, and literary writing