[2] Collins graduated from Harvard College cum laude in 1961 and earned a master's degree in history and Certificate from the Russian and East European Institute from Indiana University Bloomington in 1964.

He became a professor at the United States Naval Academy in 1967, where he taught Russian and European history, American government and economics.

[3] He was assigned to Moscow as deputy chief of mission in 1990[2] and served in that capacity with three ambassadors, Jack F. Matlock, Robert S. Strauss[1] and Thomas R. Pickering.

[5] As ambassador from 1997 to 2001, Collins's tenure played a role in critical moments in the development of Russian relations with the United States.

After a career in the Foreign Service, he has been active in the non-profit world and has served as a senior advisor at the law firm Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld.