Beginning Feb. 17, WashU advisors can use Workday to guide students through their Fall 2025 course planning, registration in April and beyond. While preparing for our second go-live, we were able to catch up with three WashU leaders—Matt DeVoll, senior assistant dean, Arts & Sciences; Chris Peacock, deputy director of athletics; and Chloé Risto, academic advising coordinator, Brown School—to hear their views on the initial challenges and advancements ahead in the advising space.
Diverse perspectives
Since spring 2022, DeVoll, Risto and Peacock have shared their expertise with Student Sunrise as campus team members, most recently as part of the Curriculum, Advising, Records and Registration (CARR) campus team. Throughout the project, they’ve brought insights from their areas to guide system configuration, and they’ve continually updated their advisors and athletic coaches on the capabilities of Workday Student and the changes to come. DeVoll and Risto also helped develop advising notes guidance with the Office of the Provost.
“I think it’s a benefit to me and my team that I’ve had the opportunity to sit in so many meetings,” said Risto. “It’s helping me be the best content expert I can be. I fully recognize that I’m probably going to forget a lot of things, but at least our advisors have a person that they can ask, ‘Where should I go next?’”
As readiness ambassadors, all three said they encourage their faculty, staff and students to take advantage of training and support resources that will help them learn how to use Workday Student. All three also promoted Mock enRoll last November so that as many advisors, students, instructors and coaches as possible could get hands on experience using the test system. Finally, DeVoll and Risto will facilitate upcoming instructor-led training courses for advisors.
“The feedback I heard from Mock enRoll was that students were pretty happy to see the change, or at least to see WebSTAC go away,” said DeVoll. “But ironically, I think one of the biggest benefits of Mock enRoll was that people realized a little bit more clearly how much more they’re going to need to learn. So, I do believe that more people will be invested in the long run in going to training and keeping an eye out for eLearnings. With Mock enRoll, there’s not as much a risk that people will underestimate the effort needed to be part of this change and will just say, ‘Oh, I’ll figure it out later.’”
Enhanced collaboration and transparency
All three touted the improved transparency Workday Student will foster among advisors, students and other university stakeholders. Peacock, who works closely with WashU’s athletic coaches, emphasized how the new system will allow coaches and advisors to better collaborate in supporting student-athletes.
“Just for our coaches to have a little more access (in Workday Student), and have other advisors who are part of that support network for a specific student-athlete understand their athlete, is very helpful,” said Peacock. “We find when things are affecting a student-athlete’s experience, it usually affects them athletically, academically and socially. So, there’s usually a number of people who are aware of things, but they’re not all connecting with one another. This hopefully will help us do that better.”
Peacock emphasized that access to real-time data and shared insights will streamline processes such as practice scheduling and monitoring eligibility requirements. He also highlighted how better access to data will help coaches and advisors pinpoint issues early, ultimately enhancing students’ academic and personal success.
“Having data available (in real time) when it wasn’t before is going to be so time saving,” said Peacock. “There won’t be that lag when having to wait for data, and you won’t have to feel like you’re inconveniencing someone else to run a report.”
Similarly, DeVoll highlighted how Workday will break down silos by enabling advisors to access comprehensive student progress reports and shared notes.
“The new progress report is going to include all of the students’ requirements, so we’ll be able to see the bigger picture of what they need to do, not just the requirements that belong to our domain,” said DeVoll. “Right now, we can see the general degree requirements, but not the major requirements. And the major advisor can see the major requirements but might not be as aware of the general requirements. This is going to allow both advisors to see all of it in one place.”
Streamlined system improves collaboration
For advisors, Workday Student promises to simplify tasks that currently require navigating multiple systems. Risto expressed excitement about eliminating the reliance on external tools like spreadsheets for course tracking. Instead, advisors will benefit from integrated academic plans and automated checks for prerequisites. Similarly, DeVoll noted the potential to reduce time spent on administrative tasks, freeing up advisors to focus more on students’ needs.
“Our conversations (with students) will be a lot different. They won’t be so technical, like ‘How do I find this or which prerequisite do I need?’ They will be more like ‘Here’s where we’re going, how are we getting there? What do these courses mean to you this semester, how do they further your objectives as a student?’”
Chloé Risto, academic advising coordinator
“Our conversations (with students) will be a lot different,” said Risto. “They won’t be so technical, like ‘How do I find this or which prerequisite do I need?’ They will be more like ‘Here’s where we’re going, how are we getting there? What do these courses mean to you this semester, how do they further your objectives as a student?’”
Students, too, stand to gain from a more user-friendly system. Features like single-click registration, academic planning tools, and 24/7 system access will empower students to take greater control of their academic journey. Risto highlighted the benefits of Workday’s intuitive interface, which will guide students through course selection while reducing errors.
Long-term vision and opportunities
The move to Workday represents more than a technological upgrade; it’s an opportunity to rethink institutional practices. DeVoll emphasized the importance of focusing on overarching goals rather than replicating old processes in a new system. This shift in mindset can unlock new efficiencies and innovations that better serve the university community.
While the transition is not without its challenges, the long-term benefits—including streamlined operations, enhanced collaboration and empowered students—paint an optimistic picture. As WashU embraces this once-in-a-generation change, DeVoll, Risto and Peacock are optimistic that the collective effort will result in a more connected and efficient academic environment.