International Fellowship Strengthens Partnership Between UC Davis and the Technical University of Munich
During a two-week professional exchange, Danny Zumer explored student onboarding strategies, international collaboration and workplace culture.
Danny Zumer, a project coordinator focused on student onboarding and academic support initiatives at the Technical University of Munich’s School of Computation, Information and Technology (CIT), recently spent two weeks with the International team at UC Davis Continuing and Professional Education.
Strengthening International Collaboration
As part of the Maximilian Graf Montgelas Fellowship, Danny worked alongside Continuing and Professional Education colleagues at the International Center. His goal was to participate in a professional exchange, gain international experience at a partner institution and strengthen collaboration between TUM and UC Davis.
“During my stay at UC Davis, I focused on exchanging best practices in student onboarding and academic support,” he said.
This exchange also gave Danny an opportunity to explore different administrative approaches while identifying new ways to strengthen the cooperation between TUM and UC Davis.
“I learned about programs that deepen university partnerships beyond traditional student exchange formats, including UC Davis courses taught at international universities,” said Danny.
“This academic collaboration model struck me as especially promising, and I plan to further develop and present this idea internally at TUM CIT and the TUM Global & Alumni Office,” he said. “I see real long-term potential here.”
Learning New Approaches to Student Onboarding
Danny was particularly impressed with onboarding activities at UC Davis International Programs that aligned with his role at TUM.
“What stood out to me was the multi-layered approach,” he said.
“From pre-quarter onboarding programs and Canvas tutorials to Aggie 101 and orientation activities, each initiative focused on guidance, connection, academic success and well-being,” said Danny. “Several elements, especially the Canvas onboarding tutorials and interactive orientation formats, are ideas I plan to pilot at the TUM School of CIT.”
Experiencing UC Davis Team Culture
Beyond opportunities to strengthen partnerships and gather inspiration for his own work, Danny was also moved by the workplace culture he experienced at UC Davis, particularly the welcoming, supportive atmosphere.
“What impressed me most was the team dynamic itself,” he said. “The level of trust, cohesion and mutual respect within the team was very tangible. The collaboration felt both highly professional and genuinely personal at the same time.”
Danny was especially struck by how regularly and sincerely team members checked in with one another.
“This kind of interpersonal awareness and care left a lasting impression on me,” said Danny.
He also noted how seamlessly student assistants were integrated into the team.
“They did not appear separate but instead were clearly part of the team,” said Danny. “It was evident that they felt valued and respected and approached their work with genuine interest and enthusiasm. This speaks strongly to the overall team culture and leadership.”
Looking back on his professional exchange at UC Davis, Danny is grateful for the opportunity to be part of such a close professional setting.
“Coming from a German office and university culture, this level of openness in a professional setting is not something I experience very often,” he said. “The team at UC Davis has done outstanding work in building and nurturing such a respectful, trusting and human-centered team environment.”
He added that the fellowship was both personally and professionally enriching and is having a positive impact on his work.
“The experience has already influenced how I reflect on collaboration, team culture and leadership,” said Danny. “I am certain that I will consciously let these impressions flow into my work at TUM.”
As UC Davis CPE International continues expanding its global partnerships, exchanges like the Maximilian Graf Montgelas Fellowship create opportunities for shared learning, innovation and cross-cultural collaboration. For Danny, the experience reinforced the value of student-centered support and human-centered leadership, lessons he plans to carry forward at TUM.