Executive project overview

Executive overview of the University of Mary Washington’s Workday implementation project.

The Workday Implementation is a multi‑year, university‑wide initiative to modernize UMW’s core administrative systems. Sponsored by senior leadership, the project replaces aging, disconnected tools with a single, integrated platform that improves efficiency, data visibility, and service to the campus community.

What is Workday?

A new way of working at UMW

Workday is a cloud‑based enterprise system used by universities to manage Human Resources, Finance, Payroll, and administrative processes.

At UMW, it will replace several existing systems and streamline how work gets done across campus.

One system

HR and Finance unified in a single platform

Modern self-service

Complete tasks directly – no paper forms

Mobile-friendly

Access anywhere from any device

Secure and compliant

Role-based access and compliance built in

Workday at UMW

What’s Changing (and What Isn’t)

Workday modernizes how administrative work happens at UMW. While systems and processes will change, the university’s mission, structure, and values remain the same.

What’s Changing

  • One integrated system — HR, Finance, Payroll, and Student data in one place
  • Streamlined processes — Hiring, budgeting, payroll, and approvals are standardized
  • Modern experience — Mobile‑friendly, self‑service tools replace manual workflows

What’s Staying the Same

  • Our mission — Teaching, learning, research, and service remain central
  • Your role — Responsibilities stay the same; how work gets done evolves
  • Accountability — Data ownership and compliance requirements continue

Implementation

Three‑phase rollout

The Workday Implementation will be executed through a phased, readiness‑based approach. Each phase builds on the previous one to ensure stability, alignment, and long‑term institutional value.

Phase 1

Workday Platform

Establishes Workday as the university’s unified system of record for core administrative operations.

  • Human Capital Management (HCM)
  • Finance and accounting
  • Payroll processing
  • Procurement and expenses

Phase 2

Project X – Enhancement and Optimization

Strengthens the Workday platform through post‑go‑live stabilization, optimization, and expanded capabilities.

  • Process refinement and optimization
  • Reporting and analytics enhancements
  • User experience improvements
  • Institutional readiness and adoption

Phase 3

Workday Student

Introduces Workday Student to support the full student lifecycle and core academic operations.

  • Student records and data
  • Enrollment and registration
  • Academic operations and advising
  • Student services integration

This is a business transformation program enabled by technology. Success depends on strong governance, institutional alignment, and disciplined, readiness‑based execution.

Who Is Impacted

Who This Affects

Faculty

Teaching and advising systems remain the same in early phases; administrative processes evolve over time.

Staff

HR, Finance, Payroll, and approval workflows will change in Phase 1.

Student Employees

Hiring and payroll processes will shift to Workday.

Students

Workday Student will be introduced in a later phase.

Resources

Training & Support

Training and support resources will be provided before each phase goes live and tailored by role.

Leadership

Project Governance

The Workday Implementation is governed by senior leadership and cross‑functional teams to ensure institutional alignment and readiness.

Workday Platform Project Leadership
  • Troy D. Paino, President
The President’s Cabinet
  • Tim O’Donnell, Provost
  • Sandra Gregor, Senior Assistant Attorney General and University Counsel
  • Jacob Long, Vice President for Administration and Finance/Chief Financial Officer
  • Jeff McClurken, Chief of Staff, Vice President of Strategy
  • Katie Turcotte, Vice President for Advancement & Alumni Engagement/Executive Director of the UMW Foundation
  • Michael Walsh, Vice President for Student Affairs
  • Shavonne Shorter, Associate Provost for Community Relations & Compliance
  • Susan Worrell, Executive Director of Events
Executive Steering Committee – Workday Programs
  • Tim O’Donnell, Provost
  • Jacob Long, Vice President for Administration and Finance/Chief Financial Officer
  • Jeff McClurken, Chief of Staff, Vice President of Strategy
  • Jonathan Piersol, Chief Information Officer
Executive Sponsor
  • Jonathan Piersol, Chief Information Officer
Executive Stakeholders
  • Julie Smith, Associate Vice President for Finance & Controller
  • Beth Williams, Executive Director for Human Resources
  • Rita Dunston, Associate Provost and Registrar
  • Melissa Yakabouski, Associate Vice President for Admissions
Readiness Review Board
  • Chair: Rita Dunston, Associate Provost and Registrar
  • Co‑Chair: Wes Hillyard, Dean of Academic Success & Integrity
Workday Platform Workstream Leads
  • Communications Lead – Amy Jesse 
  • Events Lead – Susan Worrell
  • OCM – Shavonne Shorter
  • Integrations Lead – Ben Kjar
  • Data Conversion – Ben Kjar
  • Reporting Lead – Debra Schleef
  • Application Security Lead – Linda Lovin
  • Testing Lead – TBD
  • Core HCM Lead – Deborah Burton
  • Compensation Lead – Deborah Burton
  • Recruiting Lead – Chantle Vereen
  • Benefits Lead – Denise Frye
  • Payroll Lead – Cheryl Lankford
  • Absence Lead – Cheryl Lankford
  • Time Tracking Lead – Cheryl Lankford
  • Financial Accounting Lead – Julie Smith
  • Banking and Settlement Lead – Julie Smith
  • Budgets Lead – Pam Taggert
  • Business Assets Lead – Arin Doerfler
  • Expenses Lead – Lauren Bass
  • Procurement Lead – Melva Kispaugh
  • Supplier Accounts Lead – Lauren Bass 
  • Customer Accounts Lead – Kim McManus 
Workday Project Team Members
  • Erick Hughes
  • June Barnhill
  • Mathew Wilkerson
  • Brittany Stockton
  • Paula Wilder
  • Jessica Alston
  • Janet Hudgins
  • Katheryn Lunger
  • Justina Jones
  • Jeanne Campbell
  • Anthony Dahm
  • Tracey Funtanilla
  • Karen Young
  • Kate Wheeler
  • Tania Ellis
  • Debra Cash
  • Lauren Temple
  • Christina Lynch
  • Lindsay Fare
  • Vanessa Koszyk
  • Melissa Clark
Student Project Workstream Leads
  • Academic Foundation Lead – Rita Dunston
  • Recruiting & Admission – Melissa Yakabouski
  • Student Core – Rita Dunston
  • Curriculum Management – Rita Dunston
  • Student Records – Rita Dunston
  • Academic Advising – Wes Hillyard
  • Financial Aid – Tessa Howard
  • Student Financials – Kim McManus
Student Project Team Members
  • TBD

Stay Informed

This site is the official source of information for the Workday Implementation and will be updated regularly as the project progresses.