Castel is a sociologist who explores the intricacies of community, culture, and race. Through her work as a community engagement professional, she encourages the unknown to be explored, endeavors to make the unfamiliar familiar, and seeks to cultivate relationships that are transformational instead of transactional. Castel is the director of the Center for Community Engagement and assistant professor of practice in community engagement in the Division of Diversity and Community Engagement at the University of Mississippi.