Vanderbilt University has named Shane Plageman as senior director of Parking and Commuter Services, effective August 3.
Plageman joins Vanderbilt from the University of Miami, where he serves as associate director of Parking and Transportation. In that role, he oversees customer experience, mobility operations, parking enforcement and transportation services supporting more than 12,000 permit holders and 8,000 parking spaces. He also manages a multimillion-dollar shuttle operation and leads initiatives focused on operational excellence, customer service and data-informed decision-making.
Prior to the University of Miami, Plageman held leadership roles with the Smithsonian Institution, where he helped manage a large parking enterprise serving visitors across multiple museums and facilities, including support for the opening of the National Museum of African American History and Culture. His professional background also includes extensive experience in hospitality and retail operations, bringing a strong customer-focused perspective to complex service environments.
“Shane brings a unique combination of operational expertise, customer-service leadership and transportation experience,” said David ter Kuile, associate vice chancellor for Auxiliary Services. “As Vanderbilt continues to modernize its parking and mobility programs, his experience leading large-scale operations and improving the customer experience will be invaluable.”
Plageman joins Vanderbilt at a transformative time for Parking and Commuter Services. Over the past year, the department has implemented significant changes designed to create a more predictable, flexible and customer-focused parking experience for the Vanderbilt community. Key initiatives include the transition to a new parking zone system, the introduction of a preference-based annual parking assignment process, expanded daily parking options, the launch of daytime VandyRide service, new commuter resources and the department’s rebranding as Vanderbilt Parking and Commuter Services.
As senior director, Plageman will provide strategic leadership for the department’s continued evolution, overseeing parking operations, transportation services, mobility initiatives and customer engagement efforts that support Vanderbilt’s growing campus and network of locations.
About Vanderbilt Parking and Commuter Services
Vanderbilt Parking and Commuter Services supports the university community with parking, commuting and mobility resources designed to make getting to and around campus easier. The department manages parking permits, visitor parking, VandyRide shuttles, commuting programs and transportation services, like the university’s relationship with WeGo, for students, faculty, staff and visitors, helping create a more predictable, accessible and connected campus experience.