Workday Student Project: Preparing for the Next Phase
Workday Student is taking another important step forward!
As the Workday Student project continues to progress, Xavier is preparing for Move to Production One (MTP1)—a major milestone in our journey toward the Fall 2027 implementation.
What is Move to Production One?
MTP1 is the first move of foundational Workday Student functionality into the production environment. This milestone will establish the foundation for many of the processes Xavier will use to support Fall 2027 students.
As part of MTP1:
- A limited group of Xavier employees will receive access to Workday Student so they can perform specific project and business activities.
- Students will not have access to Workday Student at this stage.
- New students applying for Fall 2027 will be loaded into Workday Student, allowing Xavier employees to begin working with real student records and supporting the preparation of admissions, financial aid, student records and other foundational processes.
- The project team will continue validating data, processes and system functionality as we prepare for future milestones.
MTP1 is not the campus-wide launch of Workday Student. Instead, it gives a limited group of employees an opportunity to begin working in the production environment and helps Xavier prepare for the next phases of the implementation.
Coming in November: Mock Semester
Following MTP1, one of the most exciting opportunities to prepare for Workday Student will be Mock Semester, the week of November 9th.
Think of Mock Semester as a dress rehearsal for Workday Student.
During this week, participating Xavier employees and students will work through realistic scenarios designed to simulate the types of activities that will take place in Workday Student. This hands-on experience will allow us to practice processes, test how different areas of the University work together and identify opportunities for improvement before the actual implementation.
What will Mock Semester include?
Mock Semester will bring together participants from across campus to experience Workday Student through a variety of scenarios and activities, including:
- Student participation in realistic Workday Student scenarios
- Employee participation in admissions, financial aid, advising, registration, curriculum, student records and other student-related processes
- Hands-on practice navigating Workday Student
- End-to-end scenarios that demonstrate how processes connect across different areas of the University
- Testing of business processes and integrations
- Opportunities to identify and resolve issues
- Practice using new processes and completing student-related activities
- Feedback from participants to help shape training, job aids, communications and future processes
Mock Semester will give us an opportunity to put the system, processes and people to the test in a controlled environment prior to the Spring semester.
Why Does Mock Semester Matter?
Workday Student is more than a new technology system. It will change how many student-related processes are completed across Xavier.
Mock Semester gives employees and students an opportunity to learn, practice and provide feedback before the system becomes part of the everyday Xavier experience.
The lessons learned during Mock Semester will help the project team prepare for future testing, training and implementation activities as we move toward Spring 2027.
What Comes Next?
MTP1 and Mock Semester are important milestones, but they are just part of the larger Workday Student journey. Additional testing, training, data conversion and preparation will continue throughout the implementation.
And there will be plenty of opportunities to get involved! Throughout September, we will be inviting members of the Xavier community to participate in a variety of activities as we prepare for Mock Semester and the next phases of the Workday Student implementation. Keep an eye out for opportunities to participate and be part of the excitement!
MTP1 gets us into the production environment. Mock Semester gives us a chance to practice. And every step brings Xavier closer to Workday Student.
One for All – All for Workday!