Ka dib markii ay dhammaysay hal sano oo ay ka go'an tahay Jaamacadda Louisville, Collins waxaa loo magacaabay xubin ka mid ah Machadka Siyaasadda ee Harvard John F. Kennedy School of Government, oo baraya fasalo aan dhibco lahayn oo ku saabsan qaababka hoggaanka toddobaadkiiba hal mar. Isla mar ahaantaana iyada oo booskeeda ka haysata Harvard, Collins waxaa loogu magac daray guddiga maamulayaasha Midway College sanadkii 1989; sanadka soo socda, waxaa laga saaray guddiga maamulayaasha Seminary Theological Theological Seminary.
10ka Oktoobar 1997