UC Merced’s new University Registrar is far from new. Erin Webb first joined the Registrar’s Office at UC Merced in 2007 because she wanted to make a difference in the lives of students in her home town and to work at a young and growing institution.
“I’ll never forget my first visit to campus,” she said. “It instantly felt like home. I knew this was the place for me.”
Webb said Merced has been a good fit for her because she thrives on change and likes to see the immediate effects of her efforts. As a young university, the campus can be far more nimble than its peers and pivot more easily when needed.
During her 11 years at UC Merced, Webb has had her hand in several initiatives to modernize systems and processes, but none have affected student success as much as the self-service degree-audit system known as MyDegreePath. MyDegreePath puts students in the driver’s seat when it comes to navigating their academic careers. It allows them to see how changing majors, dropping courses or adding courses will affect their graduation dates.
On the university’s side, the system has provided valuable data to inform decision-making and optimize business processes.
“It’s helped us to improve our course offerings, better understand transfer course articulation and laid the solid foundation we needed to overhaul our general education program,” she said. “The system’s success has put UC Merced on the national stage as a leader in the degree-audit space. We now have peer institutions that call us to advise them on their own implementations.”
The new GE program, which launched to new students this semester, is another major initiative Webb has led. As part of her work on the WASC Senior College and University Commission Re-affirmation Essay 5 Committee, Webb formalized the institutional definition of student success at UC Merced.
“Erin is most certainly an asset to UC Merced,” said Associate Vice Chancellor Jill Orcutt. Orcutt oversees enrollment management, university extension and summer session. “What’s most impressive about Erin’s work is how she can be so adept at leveraging technology without sacrificing our commitment to customer service. The student experience, and making it the best possible, is a priority she demonstrates daily in practice.”
The Office of the Registrar supports the mission of the university by serving as the primary office of academic records. Its work touches almost every facet of the organization and oversees each student’s entire academic journey — from initial registration through verification of degree conferral. As the University Registrar, Webb gets an additional perk: She signs every single UC Merced transcript.
Webb earned her doctorate in educational leadership from Stanislaus State. Her dissertation focused on institutional environments that foster transfer student transition and success. Her master’s and bachelor’s degrees came from Azusa Pacific University in Southern California. During her time at UC Merced, she has served on the Staff Assembly Executive Board and is a Staff Excellence Award recipient.
Though data and measurable results are a priority for her, people are at the center of all she does.
“I talk a lot about ‘The Three P’s’ — policy, process and partnerships, but excellence in policy and process means nothing without strong, authentic partnerships that transcend departments and disciplines,” Webb said. “This is why I love UC Merced so much. We put people first.”
