Dr. Mitchell is a native Oregonian, born in Lebanon, Oregon, and raised in Bend, Oregon. He then attended Oregon State University, obtaining a Bachelors of Science in Biology in 1995. After OSU, Dr. Mitchell moved to Portland and attended Oregon Health Sciences University (OHSU) where he received his Doctor of Dental Medicine degree (D.M.D.), graduating with Honors in 2000. While at OHSU, Dr. Mitchell was class President two years, and Student Body President during his final year.