 Wilson grew up in Arlington County, Virginia, and earned a Bachelor of Science degree in social sciences from Michigan State University.Wilson later earned Master's degrees in education from Pepperdine University, psychology from the University of Northern Colorado, business management from Salve Regina College, National Security and Strategic Studies from Naval War College, and a Doctor of Education from The University of Southern California.She also completed the U.S. Army Basic Airborne Course, Armed Forces Staff College's Joint and Combined Staff Officer School, National Defense University's CAPSTONE and PINNACLE courses, Naval Postgraduate School's Revolution in Business Practices, and Harvard University's JFK School of Government's Senior Executive Course in National and International Security.