The Ripple Effect of Lifelong Learning

For Daniel Moglen, professional growth isn’t just about advancing his own career—it’s about becoming a better coach, leader and advocate for others. As an education and training specialist at the Clinical and Translational Science Center at UC Davis Health, Daniel has built his career around helping others thrive, and he credits his own commitment to continuous learning for amplifying his impact. 

That commitment to growth led Daniel to UC Davis Continuing and Professional Education, where he completed both the Coaching for Life and Work Certificate Program and the UC Davis Executive Leadership Program—experiences that have helped shape his approach to coaching, leadership and service. 

“Education and learning are fundamental values of mine,” Daniel said. “To have a job where I can continue to learn and grow is amazing. And the more I learn and grow, the more my employer values my skill set—because then I get to share that with the people I work with.” 

A Journey Rooted in Learning and Service 

Daniel began his UC Davis journey in 2010 while earning his Ph.D. in linguistics. As a grad student, he taught in CPE’s international programs, and prior to that he spent a year teaching English in South Korea, an experience he described as “life changing.” 

“Teaching international students gave me the chance to connect across cultures and helped reinforce my belief in making people feel welcome and included,” he said. 

Those early experiences revealed a key insight: while he loved teaching, his deeper purpose was guiding and supporting people through personal and professional growth. After working at the UC Davis Career Center as a career advisor for graduate students, Daniel transitioned to UC Davis Health, where he’s spent the past seven and a half years focused on supporting Ph.D. students and postdocs in defining and achieving their career goals. 

Growing His Skills to Support Others 

Daniel’s passion for helping people navigate life transitions led him to pursue the Coaching Certificate at CPE. With a full-time role and young children at home, enrolling in a traditional graduate program wasn’t realistic, but the coaching program offered the perfect balance. 

“I want to continue to learn and grow—as a coach, as a facilitator—and to be in support of people who are in life transitions or different stages of their career,” he said. "The Coaching Certificate Program felt like a good intermediary step—bolstering my skills but still doing a program that fits within my workload and schedule." 

With support from his supervisor and funding from his department, Daniel completed the Coaching for Life and Work Certificate Program in 2022. He later completed CPE’s Executive Leadership Program, seeing it as the next step in his career, strengthening his ability to lead, collaborate and serve others. 

Applying Learning to Make an Impact 

CPE’s Coaching Program has transformed the way Daniel works. He now approaches conversations with greater empathy and intentionality, using active listening and thoughtful questions to help others reflect and grow. These skills have become central to his work, from facilitating workshops to one-on-one sessions with students and colleagues. 

“The coaching program has had a direct impact on almost every aspect of my work—listening, asking deep questions and creating safe spaces for people to share,” Daniel said. "It’s good for work, my relationships and life." 

One of Daniel’s most meaningful contributions has been launching a coaching program for scholars at the Clinical and Translational Science Center. Working with a cohort of eight Ph.D. students and postdocs, he provides individualized coaching to support their professional development—a program that’s now become a cornerstone of the center’s offerings. 

Leadership as Service 

Daniel’s experience in CPE’s Executive Leadership Program further shaped his approach to supporting others. He was inspired by guest speakers who modeled humility and the idea that true leadership is rooted in service. 

“Even though I don’t supervise a team, the program taught me that leadership is about showing up where you are and leading from your position,” Daniel said. “It helped clarify the kind of leader I want to be: inclusive, mindful and focused on service.” 

Through this program, Daniel has expanded his professional network and deepened his understanding of leadership—lessons he looks forward to building on throughout his career. 

A Lifelong Learner 

As a self-described lifelong learner, Daniel continues to seek out new opportunities for growth. He’s exploring additional tools like Lean Six Sigma and other executive coaching strategies to expand his skill set and better serve those he works with. He’s also investing time in networking and staying connected to UC Davis’ community of coaches and leaders. 

For Daniel, learning is about more than advancing his own career—it’s about creating ripple effects. By strengthening his own knowledge and skills, he’s able to provide deeper, more meaningful support to others. 

When asked what advice he would give to others considering CPE’s programs, Daniel leans on his coaching mindset: 

“I’d ask: Where do you want to go in your career? How do you see this training helping you get there? Do you have the time and resources to fully engage? These programs aren’t ones you can just show up to—you really get out what you put in.” 

This article was kickstarted by AI and handcrafted to completion by the marketing staff at UC Davis Continuing and Professional Education, who are responsible for the final product. By combining technology and human expertise, the article is accurate, engaging (at least we hope you think so!) and written efficiently.