Beth Durff has joined the University of Central Arkansas as the new registrar.
Durff has more than 18 years of higher education student registration and records experience, with specialization in technology and training. She replaces Tony Sitz, who retired after 30 years. Durff began the position July 16.
Durff served as the associate registrar at Texas A&M University-Commerce in Commerce, Texas for almost three years. She also has more than 15 years of experience with Penn State Harrisburg in Middletown, Pa. She received a bachelor of science in psychology and completed course work at the graduate level in computer and information systems at Penn State Harrisburg. She is a member of the American Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers.
Durff’s focus the first few months will be on improving services through technology.
“There is a lot of opportunity here, particularly in terms of technology, that I’d like to see put into place,” she said. “Future planned projects will make things a lot easier for students and my staff in terms of customer service.”
The university will be implementing a new degree audit system on campus called DegreeWorks. DegreeWorks is a web-based degree audit and academic advising tool that will help students and their advisors plan and monitor a student’s progress toward degree completion. Compared to the current system, DegreeWorks is user friendly, easier to read, affords better communication between the advisor and student, and allows for a more accurate display of required course work, Durff explained.
“That project is just in the beginning stages of planning, but will make a significant impact for students and advisors on campus.” she said. “I’d also like to develop an online graduation application for students and give them the ability to order an official transcript through MyUCA.”
Durff’s experience and her knowledge of software products, including DegreeWorks, will serve her and the university well as officials work to ensure that the Registrar’s Office is operating at peak efficiency, said Interim Provost Steve Runge.
“Beth Durff has some pretty big shoes to fill in the Registrar’s Office at UCA, but she is more than up to the task. Beth is a ‘roll your sleeves up and get to work’ kind of person who will identify challenges and start working immediately to find solutions,” Runge said. “… I am very pleased that Beth has joined our team and excited about the future of the operations under her direction.”
