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“Harder Than It Looks: Parking Uncovered” is our podcast that we use 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.
Today, we’re rewinding and recapping Episode 49: Meet Dr. Tanara Teal-Tate: 200 Pages, 18,000 Spaces, and a $24M Empire
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.
Meet Our Guest:
Dr. Tanara Teal-Tate
Executive Director of Parking & Transportation – University of Tennessee, Knoxville
Dr Tanara “Dr. T” Teal-Tate is the Executive Director of Parking & Transportation at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. With 25 years of experience in parking and mobility operations, she oversees a $24M+ enterprise serving over 50,000 community members across parking, transit, enforcement, customer service, and special events.
She holds a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering, a Master of Public Administration, and a Doctorate in Instruction, Curriculum, and Leadership. Known for her data-driven leadership and cross-campus collaboration, Dr. T is passionate about student success, team empowerment, and building mobility systems that support institutional growth.
You Won’t Want to Miss These Clips:
Episode Highlights:
- Dr. Teal-Tate shares her entry into parking and her start at a parking booth. [03:30]
- How mechanical engineering shaped her analytical leadership style. [06:30]
- The moment of realization that parking is mission-critical infrastructure. [10:45]
- Operating at 30,000 feet while empowering her team to lead. [12:45]
- Managing large campus events through real-time command posts and adaptive strategy. [17:45]
- Why “just build more garages” isn’t financially simple. [26:00]
- Transformational changes that reduced garage congestion. [32:00]
- the lightbulb moment: campus leaders didn’t know what parking already offered. [35:45]
- The nine-year doctoral journey and rewriting 200 pages in six months. [39:30]
- Lightning round: hardest life challenges and magic wand fixes. [42:00]
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