From Student to City Leader: How Patel College Alumna Kayla Caselli Is Shaping Tampa鈥檚 Sustainable Future
When Kayla Caselli first began her master鈥檚 degree in Global Sustainability, she didn鈥檛 imagine her career path would lead to the frontlines of sustainability planning in one of Florida鈥檚 largest cities. Today, as the Sustainability and Resilience Officer for the City of Tampa, Caselli is helping shape policies and projects that will protect communities against climate risks and build a more resilient future. Her journey reflects not only her passion and persistence but also the transformative role of her graduate experience at the USF Patel College of Global Sustainability (PCGS).
Discovering Sustainability as a Career
Caselli always cared deeply about the environment, but in her early academic years, sustainability wasn鈥檛 widely recognized as a professional track. 鈥淚t was just kind of blossoming at that point,鈥� she recalls. 鈥淣ow we鈥檙e full steam ahead, with job opportunities in the private sector and local government.鈥� That growing field, and her first job experiences led her to pursue a master鈥檚 degree at Patel College, where she found the diverse, interdisciplinary approach she was looking for.
A Transformative Graduate Experience
At Patel, Caselli was immersed in a learning environment that blended global perspectives, innovative thinking, and hands-on opportunities. 鈥淲e had students and professors from all different backgrounds, which opened up conversations that challenged the norm and pushed us to think differently,鈥� she says. Professors like Dr. Joseph Dorsey and Dr. T.H. Culhane left a lasting mark, encouraging her to reframe traditional ways of thinking and to approach sustainability with creativity and courage. It was also at Patel that Caselli first stepped into local government through an internship with Tampa鈥檚 Solid Waste Department鈥攁 program that has welcomed many Patel students over the years. That internship opened the door to a full-time role after graduation and ultimately set her on the path to her current leadership position.
Leading Sustainability for Tampa
Caselli now oversees critical projects that directly impact Tampa鈥檚 future. Among
them is the city鈥檚 first Vulnerability Assessment. The project is a comprehensive
study examining how infrastructure, from stormwater systems to public buildings, faces
risks from flooding, storm surge, and sea level rise. She also helped develop Tampa鈥檚
Heat Resilience Playbook, released in 2023, which addresses the city鈥檚 growing threat
from extreme heat. 鈥淲e鈥檙e not living in the same climate as the 1960s,鈥� she explains.
鈥淏ack then, Tampa saw about 20 days a year with a heat index over 100 degrees. Now,
it鈥檚 80 to 90 days. Nearly a quarter of the year.鈥�
Through projects like these, Caselli integrates science, policy, and community engagement
into solutions that make Tampa stronger and safer.
Skills That Last Beyond the Classroom
Looking back, she credits Patel College with giving her tools that remain central to her career. Collaboration, project management, and relationship-building stand out. 鈥淓very project in sustainability is a group project,鈥� she says. 鈥淚f you can鈥檛 bring others along with you, you won鈥檛 make as much headway.鈥� She also highlights the importance of technical skills like GIS (Geographic Information Systems), which she strongly encourages current students to pursue.
Advice for Future Sustainability Leaders
Caselli鈥檚 advice for students at Patel College is clear: stay open to opportunities, build relationships, and don鈥檛 limit yourself to a narrow path. 鈥淚 didn鈥檛 plan to work for the city, but an internship opened doors I didn鈥檛 expect. You just never know what kind of relationships you鈥檒l build that can carry you into your career.鈥� She also stresses the importance of self-care in a challenging field. 鈥淭his is grueling work, and sometimes the political landscape makes it tough. You have to take care of yourself along the journey.鈥�
A Patel College Success Story
From her first internship to leading citywide sustainability projects, Caselli鈥檚 story demonstrates how Patel College equips its graduates to enter the sustainability workforce and to thrive in it. 鈥淧CGS solidified for me how important collaboration and consensus-building are,鈥� she reflects. 鈥淭he knowledge you gain is important, but so are the relationships you build.鈥� For students and prospective students considering a degree at the Patel College of Global Sustainability, Caselli鈥檚 path is a testament to where those lessons can lead: meaningful work, community impact, and a career dedicated to building a more sustainable future.