In this episode of Harder Than It Looks, guest host Heidi Barber sits down with Dr. Tanara Teal-Tate, Executive Director of Parking & Transportation at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville – a leader overseeing a $24M+ auxiliary enterprise serving more than 50,000 campus community members.
With responsibility for 18,000+ parking spaces, 10 garages, 34 bus transit systems and a 60+ person team, Dr. Teal-Tate understands firsthand that parking and transportation is mission-critical infrastructure. Dr. Teal-Tate brings a 25-year journey shaped by grit, data-driven leadership, cross-campus collaboration, and a commitment to student success.
From earning three degrees to leading a dynamic team, rolling out transformational parking changes, and defining mobility at a flagship university, Dr. Teal-Tate shares what it takes to lead a complex operation in higher education.
Key Takeaways
- Parking is the first and last impression of a campus.
Dr. Teal-Tate shares the importance transportation plays in enrollment, research, athletics, and overall student experience. - Engineering mindsets change leadership decisions.
Dr. Teal-Tate’s mechanical engineering background enables data-driven data, financial modeling, and strategic master planning. - Challenges universities face: real estate and costs.
Land constraints and cost realities make expanding and decision making a planned action. - Change requires both courage and communication.
Leaning on a team and prioritizing innovation and technology will benefit the student experience. - Vulnerability is a leadership strength.
Dr. Teal-Tate shares why humility and mentorship are central to her growth.
Episode Highlights
[03:30] Dr. Teal-Tate shares her entry into parking started at a booth.
[06:30] How mechanical engineering shaped her analytical leadership style.
[10:45] The moment of realization that parking is mission-critical infrastructure.
[12:45] Operating at 30,000 feet while empowering her team to lead.
[17:45] Managing large campus events through real-time command posts and adaptive strategy.
[26:00] Why “just build more garages” isn’t financially simple.
[32:00] Transformational changes that reduced garage congestion.
[35:45] The lightbulb moment: campus leaders didn’t know what parking already offered.
[39:30] The nine-year doctoral journey and rewriting 200 pages in six months.
[42:00] Lightning round: hardest life challenges and magic wand fixes.
Notable Quotes
“Parking and transportation is the first and last impression of the campus experience.” – Dr. Tanara Teal-Tate
“In order for me to grow, I have to let myself know that it’s okay to not know.” – Dr. Tanara Teal-Tate
“No problem is beneath me. I’m here to tackle this problem.” – Dr. Tanara Teal-Tate
What is Harder Than It Looks: Parking Uncovered?
We as parking professionals know that parking is hard. However, we make it look easy to those from the outside looking in. The myriad technologies, processes and people that a parking operator has to wrangle on any given day is mind-numbing, and every parking facility is unique. While certain verticals share similar pain points, we know better than many how nuanced every operation can be.
We created this podcast to facilitate connections and illuminate solutions to common problems within the parking and mobility industry. We aim to do so by highlighting the voices of experts in the space, discussing trends and forward-looking technological innovations, and providing professional food for thought. All in an effort to help one another get better at what we know is harder than it looks…parking a car.