Executive project Summary
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.
Executive project Overview
Project Charter
Please review the Workday Project Charter to learn about our goals, scope, and timeline for the implementation.
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, Absence and Time Tracking, 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, Absence and Time Tracking, and Student data in one place
- Streamlined processes — Hiring, budgeting, Absence and Time Tracking, 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
- Absence and Time Tracking
- 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, Absence and Time Tracking, and approval workflows will change in Phase 1.
Student Employees
Hiring and Absence and Time Tracking 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 Jessee
- Events Lead – Susan Worrell
- OCM – Jacob Long
- Integrations Lead – Ben Kjar
- Data Conversion – Ben Kjar
- Reporting Lead – Debra Schleef
- Application Security Lead – Mike Townes
- Testing Lead – Julie Smith
- Core HCM Lead – Deborah Burton
- Compensation Lead – Deborah Burton
- Recruiting Lead – Chantel Vereen
- Benefits Lead – Denise Frye
- Training Lead – Stacy Roe
- Talent Lead – Terri Arthur
- Payroll Lead – Kathryn Lunger
- 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 Kishpaugh
- Supplier Accounts Lead – Lauren Bass
- Customer Accounts Lead – Kimberly McManus-Carini
- Internal Audit Lead – Ginny Grigsby
- Reporting Lead – Debra Schleef
Workday Project Team Members
- Erick Hughes
- June Barnhill
- Mathew Wilkerson
- Britney Stockton
- Paula Wilder
- Sarah Mahoney
- Deborah Boutchyard
- Jessica Alston
- Janet Hudgins
- Katheryn Lunger
- Justina Jones
- Jeanne Campbell
- Vicki Eppes-Ward
- Davena Reynolds
- Adrienne Pannel Williams
- Tracey Funtanilla
- Karen Young
- Kate Wheeler
- Tania Ellis
- April Peterson
- Debra Cash
- Laura Temple
- Christine 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
- Brian Ogle
Stay Informed
This site is the official source of information for the Workday Implementation and will be updated regularly as the project progresses.
Read the Workday Update: Building the Foundation Platform with Avaap dated August 24, 2026, for the latest project information.