Patel College of Global Sustainability

The Patel College of Global Sustainability (PCGS) is the newest degree-granting college at the University of South Florida and is unique in its mission and its approach. Endowed through generous gifts from Drs. Kiran and Pallavi Patel, the College and our home at the Patel Center for Global Solutions were established. 

The mission of PCGS is achieving sustainable development, both locally and globally, by fostering social, economic and environmental sustainability; we accomplish this through teaching, research, mentoring students and community outreach, as well as by generating practical knowledge and developing innovative technologies, skills and policies.

Drawing from various definitions of “sustainability” we seek to ensure that these efforts both endure and dramatically expand at USF; that they encourage the natural interconnections among those groups on campus addressing ecology, economics, politics and culture; that they recognize the essential contributions of scholars and professionals in engineering, business, architecture and urban planning, transportation, health, global studies and the natural and social sciences; and, that they serve to create and maintain the conditions under which humans and nature can exist in productive harmony, fulfilling the social and economic requirements of present and future generations.

The M.A. in Global Sustainability offers nine concentrations, available in a traditional on-campus format, and seven of which are available in fully online and blended formats. The graduate program is designed to prepare students to address complex regional, national, and global challenges related to sustainability and the ability to innovate in diverse cultural, geographic, and demographic contexts. The Patel College of Global Sustainability strives to offer a dynamic curriculum, top-notch internship experiences, and overall superior education for our students.