Stuart Gulley has been a professional student since departing Vanderbilt. Graduate school at Emory University (Master of Divinity degree), and at Georgia State University (Ph.D. in higher education) have kept him occupied, as have various administrative roles at Emory University, and now LaGrange College, where he has served as president since 1996. He is also an ordained United Methodist minister.

Stuart is married to Kathleen Gulley, and they have two sons: Andrew (age 12) and Matthew (age 9). They enjoy travel, and the water, especially the beach and their lake house, site of numerous outdoor activities and water sports.