Effective June 30, 2025, Dean Govindan Parayil will be ending his term as the Dean of the Patel College of Global Sustainability. As we bid farewell to Dr. Govindan Parayil, we thank him for his dedicated leadership.
Appointed in 2017 as the college’s fourth dean, Dr. Parayil remained true to his vision for PCGS as an incubator for sustainable innovation and a training ground for future sustainability leaders. Under his guidance, PCGS has proudly graduated over 100 students, many of whom now lead their own sustainability initiatives. Many alumni have gone on to creating nonprofits and enacting impactful policies using the skills learned from dedicated professors.
Dr. Parayil's academic journey reflects a lifelong dedication to global sustainability, cross-cultural learning, and science-informed policy. His extensive international experience spans Asia, Europe, and North America, with key roles at institutions like the United Nations University in Tokyo and universities in Norway, Singapore, Hong Kong, and the United States. Bringing this wealth of knowledge to USF, he emphasized interdisciplinary, international approaches to addressing global sustainability challenges.
His vision helped transform PCGS into a hub for practical, community-focused solutions. With the support of faculty and staff, Dr. Parayil expanded PCGS’s academic offerings to align with emerging sustainability career paths, introducing new degree concentrations and certificates such as Sustainability Policy and Climate Mitigation.
As Dr. Parayil moves on to his next adventure, he leaves PCGS strong and ready for the future. His work has given students an exciting curriculum, and the confidence to make real changes.