Darron Collins

Darron Asher Collins (born 1970) is an American human ecologist and academic administrator specialized in ethnobotany. He became president of the College of the Atlantic in 2011.

Darron Collins
6th President of the College of the Atlantic
In office 2011 – June 30, 2024
Preceded by	David F. Hales
Succeeded by	Sylvia Torti
Personal details
Born	Darron Asher Collins 1970 (age 54–55) Morris Plains, New Jersey, U.S.
Children	2
Education	College of the Atlantic (BA) Tulane University (PhD)
Occupation	Human ecologist, academic administrator

Life

Collins is from Morris Plains, New Jersey.^[1] His grandmother, Josephine Collins (née Flynn), was born in County Roscommon and immigrated to Morristown, New Jersey in May 1928.^[2] Collins was raised in nearby Parsippany–Troy Hills, New Jersey^[3] and graduated from Parsippany Hills High School in 1988.^[4] He was awarded a Barry M. Goldwater Scholarship and graduated from College of the Atlantic in 1992.^[5][1][6] Collins completed a master's degree in Latin American Studies and a Ph.D. in anthropology at Tulane University. During his studies, he researched ethnobotany in Guatemala and became conversant in Qʼeqchiʼ.^[5][7] His 2001 dissertation was titled From Woods to Weeds: Cultural and Ecological Transformations in Alta Verapaz, Guatemala.^[8]

Collins worked for the World Wide Fund for Nature for ten years, ending as the managing director of creative assets.^[5] He became president of the College of the Atlantic in 2011. Collins is the first COA alumni to hold the position.^[9]

Collins is married and has two daughters.^[1][10] Preceding 2011, Collins resided in Decatur, Georgia.^[2][5]