Rate My Professor Emma Dennison

Emma Dennison is the Fleet and Parking Manager within the Property Services division at the University of Otago, Dunedin campus. Appointed to this role in late October 2025, she manages the university's fleet of around 115 vehicles and trailers, as well as over 1,500 owned car parks. Her extensive career in the automotive industry spans more than 20 years, during which she owned her own garage, sold truck parts, and served most recently as a service manager at a local dealership. Dennison possesses a Certificate in Automotive Parts and Accessories, providing her with specialized knowledge essential for her current responsibilities. In her position, Dennison oversees operations aligned with the university's sustainability goals under the Tī Kōuka Sustainability Strategic Framework. Approximately one-third of the fleet consists of fully electric or hybrid vehicles, and university policy requires all new or replacement vehicles to be electric or hybrid. Recent procurements include seven electric vans for the Trades Services team. She has observed the benefits of electric vehicles for sustainability, though notes challenges in servicing due to parts availability. For parking, Dennison manages the Parkable app system, introduced over a year ago, which allows users to book available spots, increasing utilization from 83 percent to 94 percent during business hours. Recent updates to the app provide alternative parking options if the selected spot is taken. Moving forward, she aims to revise fleet and parking policies and procedures and engage closely with university stakeholders to address their needs effectively. Outside of work, Dennison enjoys gardening her vegetable patch and spending time with family and friends, deliberately avoiding motorsport activities to keep leisure separate from her professional life.

Emma Dennison's transition to the university followed a period of familiarization with the organization in her initial months. Her background equips her to navigate the evolving automotive landscape, including technological advancements and the shift towards sustainable transport solutions at the institution.