Ryan Webb is an ambitious student with a passion for politics and helping others. 

“I believe that we all have a duty to make this world a little bit better than what it was when we found it. I plan to do that through public service and politics,” Webb said.

Webb is a freshman from Little Rock, Arkansas, majoring in political science with a minor in journalism. He decided to come to UCA for its political science program. “Great school, nice location and one of the best political science programs in the state. I would ask, ‘why not UCA?’” Webb said.

Webb has been interested in politics since the 8th grade, where he came across a video of the 1992 presidential debate between Bill Clinton, Ross Perot and George H.W. Bush. Webb recalled thinking, “This sounds interesting. I want to know more about this.”

The debate sparked a fire in Webb, and he’s had a drive for politics since. 

“I just know that I want to make people’s lives better,” Webb said.

Webb has worked on a host of political campaigns for candidates such as Josh Price, Tim Griffin and Jay Martin, and hopes to one day run for political office.

Webb said, “I’ve learned so many lessons.”

Webb said he enjoyed putting his research skills to use, as he was the head policy director for Price.

He even brought this experience to UCA, when he ran for Student Government Association freshman class president. Webb lost the election but says it is his favorite memory at UCA so far. 

“One: because I love campaigning and two: I got to meet so many people, so many excellent people,” Webb said. 

Since beginning school at UCA in August, Webb has worked as a student worker at UCA’s Model United Nations and was elected as its secretary. 

Outside of UCA, Webb has run a political opinion blog for two years titled, “Webb Times,” where he writes about state, national and global issues. 

Webb has three goals that are important to him. The first goal is to graduate college. 

“I’d be the first of my siblings to do so, which would mean a great deal to me,” Webb said. “The second thing is, I want to make people’s lives better. I want to serve people.” 

Lastly, Webb wants to be a man that his mother is proud of.

“I’m so proud of her and I want her to be proud of me,” Webb said

Webb said that he is inspired by President Abraham Lincoln, former Arkansas Gov. Dale Bumpers and his mother.

“Abraham Lincoln was a courageous man. It took courage to do what he did,” Webb said. “Dale Bumpers was an example of a good politician that had good morals.”

In his free time, Webb enjoys reading and writing along with playing the video game “NBA 2K” with his friends. Webb also enjoys jujitsu and MMA.