Gustafson earned her Ph.D. in higher education administration, educational leadership and policy from USC's College of Education. Gustafson's educational background includes an M.S. in hotel, restaurant and tourism administration from the University of South Carolina and a B.S. in human nutrition and foods, with a specialization in dietetics, from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University. She is also a certified hospitality educator with the American Hotel and Lodging Association and a certified club manager with the Club Managers Association of America.