The University of South Carolina’s Parking and Transportation Services department continues to gain international recognition for its leadership, innovation and commitment to excellence in campus mobility. Through a combination of organizational achievements and individual honors, several team members have recently been recognized by leading industry organizations, reinforcing the department’s strong presence in the field.
“For Parking and Transportation Services to receive this level of international recognition means the organization is operating at an exceptional standard within the industry, standing out among peer institutions across the world,” says Brian Favela, director of parking and transportation services. “It reflects a sustained commitment to excellence in customer service, innovation, efficiency and overall campus mobility experience.”
Top departmental honor
Leading these accomplishments is the department’s designation as an Accredited Parking Organization with Distinction by the International Parking and Mobility Institute — one of the highest honors in the parking and mobility industry.
The APO program recognizes organizations that demonstrate excellence across operations, customer service, sustainability, safety and professional development. Earning accreditation requires meeting more than 200 criteria and undergoing a rigorous evaluation process. The designation is reserved for organizations that exceed these standards and demonstrate a strong commitment to continuous improvement.
“This recognition signifies that our team has aligned its work with best-in-class
service and industry standards, consistently going above and beyond what is expected.
Every member of the department contributed to this success, including our student
employees.”
The distinction effort – which was led by Compliance and Event Manager Syreeta Cox, Transportation Manager Dennessee Daring, Financial Operations Manager Austin Morrison and graduate student Abby Duwel — is valid through 2029, putting the department among an elite group of parking and transportation units worldwide.
“I’m proud of the work our team accomplished,” Daring says. “Being part of the effort to achieve accreditation with distinction was incredibly rewarding and showed the strength of our collaboration, trust and accountability. It also strengthened our commitment to continuous improvement in service to our community.”
Individual excellence recognized
Several staff members were also honored for their individual contributions:
- Cox received the Professional Excellence Award for Operations which recognizes outstanding leadership and operational impact.
- A team including Cox, Kendall Barnes, Doug Helms, and Daring were recognized as parksmart advisors, which recognizes individuals supporting environmentally sustainable parking design and operations.
- Supervisors Elizabeth Sweat and Bobbie Keitt earned the Parking Enforcement and Compliance Professional certification, demonstrating expertise in enforcement and compliance management.
“The fact that several team members received individual honors speaks volumes about the culture within the department,” Favela says. “When team members are empowered to excel, their achievements elevate the entire department.”
“I’m grateful to have leadership that believes in our goals and vision and empowers
us to achieve them.” 
Keitt reflected on the values that guide her work: “Integrity is doing the right thing when no one is looking. My standards don't change based on who's watching.”
International leadership representation
Further elevating the department’s profile, Favela has been appointed to the institute’s board of directors where he’ll serve a two-year term beginning June 14.
“Being appointed to the IPMI Board of Directors is both a personal honor and a meaningful opportunity to serve the profession at a higher level,” Favela says. “It represents the trust of peers and provides a platform to help shape the future of parking and mobility.”
He added that the role brings new ideas and partnerships back to campus while reinforcing USC’s position as a leader in the field.
A commitment to excellence
These recognitions reflect the department’s mission to provide efficient, sustainable, and customer-focused transportation solutions.
As transportation needs evolve, the department remains focused on innovation and continuous improvement — ensuring a safe, accessible, and forward-thinking campus transportation system.
“These efforts directly enhance the daily experience for students, faculty, and visitors by ensuring we are efficient, reliable, and community-centered,” Favela says. “The result is a smoother, more positive campus mobility experience for everyone.”