Lee's educational background was formed both in Italy and in the United States.  She earned a Bachelor's degree in Marketing with a Concentration in International Marketing from Quinnipiac University in Hamden, Connecticut, magna cum laude, and two Associate's degrees in Administration and Executive Secretary in Foreign Languages earned concurrently at Gateway Community-Technical College in New Haven. A Dean's List student, she graduated with high honors and received an award in Foreign Languages. Lee studied Sociology at the Faculty of Lettere e Filosofia (Liberal Arts) at the University of Naples, and also earned a business accounting diploma from Luigi Sodo Institute, Cerreto Sannita, Italy, summa cum laude.  Lee, who was a recipient of several scholarships, received Alpha Mu Alpha and Delta Mu Delta awards by the American Marketing Association.  Later she became a scholarship fund donor herself.