RWU is growing: many new colleagues

We are delighted to welcome many new faces to RWU.

Carolin-Anna Achberger, who comes from Austria but now lives in the Bavarian Allgäu region, is one of the new climate protection managers at RWU. She previously worked as a consultant in the field of sustainable finance, supporting financial institutions and utilities. She also supervised a seminar on sustainability at the University of Applied Sciences in Munich. The opportunity to realize her interest in strategy development and implementation in the field of sustainability in an interdisciplinary environment of employees, students and professors led Carolin-Anna Achberger to apply to RWU. She is particularly looking forward to enriching discussions, bold ideas and common goals. She will support RWU in becoming greenhouse gas neutral by 2030. In her private life, she enjoys spending time in the countryside with her family, going for a walk or hiking.

Bernhard Berger, now 66, was born and grew up in Neu-Ulm. He has lived with his family in the Schussental valley for 45 years. Before coming to RWU, he worked as an electrician and switch cabinet builder, and later as a hardware designer and product software developer for mechanical engineering companies. As a recent pensioner, he was looking for part-time work to keep fit and is pleased that he has been able to support RWU as an electrical appliance tester since April. He hopes to learn a lot of new things himself and to be able to work with great colleagues in a varied job.

Sonja Blattner is 36 years old and comes from Leutkirch. Before joining RWU, she worked in human resources, particularly in corporate health management. She is now also part of the HR department at the university and is responsible for appointment procedures and secondary employment law. Sonja Blattner enjoyed her time as a student and is now happy to be part of the university environment. She enjoys spending her free time in nature.

Annabel Göhler comes from Kempten and was self-employed in the field of team development and environmental education. At the university, she is now working on an integrated climate protection concept for the various areas of the university: science and administration, electricity, heating and cooling use and mobility. In addition to her role as climate protection manager, she is particularly looking forward to the exchange and cooperation with the students and their impulses or generally on the topic of sustainability. She appreciates the diverse skills and personalities at RWU and would like to incorporate many perspectives into climate protection management projects where possible. In her free time, Annabel Göhler enjoys spending time in the vegetable garden, working with wood and hiking.

David Grbac is 26 years old and comes from Rijeka, Croatia. In 2024, he successfully completed his master's degree in mechatronics and has been working as a software developer for B. Büning GmbH & Co. KG. Since this semester, David Grbac has also been working as a research assistant at RWU. He supports students with projects and theses in the fields of robotics and artificial intelligence. He is also responsible for maintaining the robots in the RoboLab and advises students on how to use them. He is also involved in the RoboCup team and the associated seminar. David Grbac wants to work at RWU because it is very important to him to support students in discovering their passion and putting their knowledge into practice.

Sina Hofmann was born and raised near Aalen in the Ostalbkreis district and has lived in Friedrichshafen for almost 2 years. She has been working at RWU since March 2025 in Student Services and the Admissions Office. Here she is responsible for the English-language degree programs.

Heike Krumm (51) comes from Ravensburg and has already held various positions in sales in the finance and trade fair industry. When she starts at the university, she will be the contact person for school contacts, introducing pupils to RWU and offering insights into the courses on offer and the campus atmosphere. She is particularly looking forward to working with very different characters from the university context. In addition to the exciting environment of young people with lots of energy and ideas, the exchange of experience and expertise are reasons for her move to RWU. Heike Krumm seeks variety in various sporting activities, such as skiing and cycling, hiking in the countryside or yoga. She also enjoys spending time with her family, traveling or cooking.

Ivo Nowack is 57 years old and lives in Ravensburg. He previously worked as a precision mechanic and now works in technical operations at RWU.

Oliver Schiller (25) comes from Deggenhausertal and previously studied for a Master's degree in Technology Management and Optimization at RWU. He is now working as a research assistant on the ALARMBOT project. Oliver Schiller chose RWU as his employer because he already liked the open, informal environment and the regional connection during his studies. In his work, he is now also looking forward to interesting research activities, exchanging knowledge with colleagues and helping to implement the research project. In his free time, he enjoys hiking or walking in the Lake Constance region, playing soccer or doing calisthenics.

Before Angela Tanner joined the International Office as a coordinator for German schools abroad, the 40-year-old worked as a consultant for further education. The fact that the university is a positive employer with a pleasant working atmosphere and an international ambience made Angela Tanner choose RWU. She is looking forward to working in a team, with nice colleagues from other departments and international partners, as well as the varied activities. At her home in Baindt, Angela Tanner enjoys spending time with her children, working in the garden or finding balance by dancing Zumba.

Manuela Trunk completed her Bachelor's degree in Social Work at RWU in 2012 and her part-time Master's degree in Management in Social and Health Care in 2024. In the meantime, she has worked in various professional contexts as a social worker, primarily in child and youth welfare. This was followed by further training in systemic counseling and a position in a staff unit for disabled people before her professional dream of working at RWU came true. Thanks to the positive experiences she had during her studies, she is now looking forward to working as an academic assistant in teaching and supporting prospective social workers. In her private life, Manuela Trunk enjoys being outdoors, playing the guitar and spending her free time with friends or doing nothing at all.

Silke Vielhaber has been working in the Examinations Office since March 2025 and is responsible for several degree programs in Faculty E. Previously, she worked in cultural and project management in the organization of concert and theater events. Coming back from parental leave, she particularly appreciates RWU's family-friendliness and the resulting good work-life balance. She is looking forward to the young, international environment and the wide range of additional offers in the form of events, health and language courses. In her free time, she enjoys reading, cooking, attending cultural events and going out into nature.

Not in the photo, but also new to the university are Hardy Beller, Dr. Thomas Boggatz, Hans-Peter Erath and Professor Dr. Claudia Sassenrath.