On April 7th, the Patel College of Global Sustainability (PCGS) welcomed Cassie Cordova for the last Sustainability Speaker Series of the Spring semester. She is the Sustainability & Environmental Division Manager for the City of Clearwater and a proud alumna from the college. The session offered an inside look at how sustainability is implemented at the local government level鈥攂ridging policy, infrastructure, and community impact.
Students and staff gather together after the last PCGS Sustianility Speaker Series for Spring 2026
Cordova鈥檚 presentation focused on how cities translate sustainability goals into tangible initiatives that serve both environmental and community needs. Drawing on Clearwater鈥檚 ongoing efforts, she highlighted projects spanning renewable energy adoption, fleet electrification, and water quality improvements.
Sustainability at the city level is about turning big-picture goals into practical, everyday actions that benefit the community. It鈥檚 not just about planning鈥攊t鈥檚 about implementation.
Cassie Cordova
Sustainability & Environmental Division Manager for the City of Clearwater
A key theme throughout the session was the complexity behind advancing sustainability within municipal systems. Cordova emphasized that success depends on collaboration across departments and alignment with the city's broader priorities.
鈥淣o single department can do this work alone,鈥 she explained. 鈥淚t takes coordination across teams, strong partnerships, and the ability to connect sustainability goals with what matters most to the community.鈥
PCGS Staff and Students engaged with Cassie Cordova's Lecture
Students gained valuable insight into how sustainability is integrated into city operations鈥攆rom infrastructure upgrades to long-term resilience planning. The discussion also highlighted the importance of funding strategies, such as grants and partnerships, to advance projects.
Cordova also shared her perspective on building a career in sustainability, particularly within the public sector. She encouraged students to remain open to opportunities and focus on developing strong professional relationships.
Networking and relationship-building are just as important as technical skills. A lot of the work we do happens through collaboration, so being able to connect with people is key.
Cassie Cordova
Sustainability & Environmental Division Manager for the City of Clearwater
Her career journey offered a relatable perspective for students exploring different paths in sustainability, reinforcing that there is no single route into the field.
Cassie Cordova presenting Sustainability Initiatives during her Presentation
The event reflects PCGS鈥檚 commitment to connecting students with industry professionals and providing real-world context to classroom learning. By showcasing practical applications of sustainability in local government, the session offered students a clearer understanding of how they can contribute to building more resilient and sustainable communities.
Through initiatives like the Sustainability Speaker Series, PCGS continues to prepare the next generation of sustainability leaders鈥攅quipping them with the knowledge, connections, and inspiration needed to drive meaningful change.