THE UNIVERSITY OF MISSISSIPPI

Encompass Essentials: Your guide to Workday and Banner readiness

September 2025 Issue | This month's Encompass Essentials is a four-minute read.

📢 Sign Up for Workday Events

Ready to learn more about how Workday will impact you? Register now for a series of in-person and online events, including preview sessions and Workday 101 training.

What to Expect for Workday
- Preview the basics of Workday, including go-live cutover details, upcoming training opportunities, and more.
- Sessions available between September 22 - October 10
Workday 101 - Pre-Go-Live
- This training session introduces how Workday empowers employees to manage personal and payroll information, navigate smart tools, and unlock day-to-day efficiencies.
- Sessions available between October 13 - December 23

The Essentials

Get the latest on how Encompass is taking shape behind the scenes.

Training begins rolling out in October, and Workday 101 is already open for registration!

As we prepare to launch additional training, here are a few things you can do now to prepare for Workday:

Mark your calendar: Cutover Dates begin soon starting with a limited hiring period from October 28, 2025 – January 4, 2026.
Verify Dependent Information: Review your dependent information in myOleMiss by October 31, 2025, to support the transition from SAP to Workday.
Download your documents: Be sure to save performance reviews and resume materials from connectU by December 23, 2025. These items will not transfer to Workday.
Update your headshot: Having a UM headshot in Workday improves org chart functionality and helps colleagues connect names with faces. If you need one, stop by Snappy Hour!

Slate Data Will Soon Flow into Banner
We’re nearing a major integration milestone: Slate application data will soon begin flowing directly into Banner. This marks a key step in aligning our admissions process with the new student information system.
Preparing for Phase 1 of Financial Aid Go-Live | October 13
In this first phase of Financial Aid activity, FAFSA data will begin loading into Banner, Cost of Attendance information will be posted, and the Freshman Scholarship Application for competitive awards will open. Academic Merit scholarship offers will begin in November.
Nearing the Housing Application Go-Live | October 15
The Housing Application for Fall 2026 will open on October 15. New admits in Banner will apply via StarRez.

The University of Mississippi and Encompass

Looking for more information about Encompass? We’ve created a variety of resources to help make learning about Workday and Banner easier—including Change Advocate Network (CAN) slide decks, spotlights, and high-level screen previews.

Other Resources

View the training page
Explore the key integrations of Encompass
View the Encompass Quick Reference Sheet
Request a department/unit presentation
Review past communications

Embracing the Possibilities

Each month, we’re highlighting how Encompass will make everyday tasks easier.

Managing Benefits in Workday

For benefit-eligible employees, managing benefits will be simpler and more intuitive in Workday. The new self-service model gives you greater control over benefit elections and makes it easy to view and update your details anytime from your Worker Profile.

Set Up Password Recovery

With Fischer Identity Management now live, you can set your password recovery options using a mobile number and personal email.

Set Up Recovery Settings

Team Spotlight

Nearly 300 employees across campus are working behind the scenes to bring Workday and Banner to life.

Each month, we’ll spotlight some of the dedicated team members shaping our future systems.

Caitlyn Wakefield

Encompass ERP Project Manager

Serves as the project manager, overseeing the Workday implementation process.

Melissa Howe

Project Support Assistant

Supports the Encompass initiative through a variety of ways including training logistics, project coordination, and communications.

Hunter Haney

Associate Director of Human Resources

Oversees the Talent and Performance configuration of Workday HCM as a Functional Lead.

Piecing Together the Vocab

What’s the difference between Configuration and Customization?

Configuration involves adjusting existing settings and features within the system’s built-in framework—without modifying the underlying code.

Customization means modifying or extending the system’s core code to add entirely new functionality.

We prioritize configuration over customization to align with best practices and ensure long-term reliability.

Upcoming Key Dates & Milestones

Date	Change or Milestone	Platform/System	Details
October	Training becomes available for Workday HCM and Payroll - Register now for Workday 101	Workday	Resources like job aids, demos, webinars, and other course materials will begin to be released to assist with readiness.
October 13	Phase 1 of Financial Aid goes-live	Banner, Scholarship Universe	Freshman Scholarship Application opens for Fall 2026.
October 28, 2025 to January 4, 2026	Limited Hiring Period Begins	Workday	View Cutover Information

Campus Vision

We're in a season of great change at the university. Change can bring many emotions—excitement, fear, anxiety, and hope. Our people are at the heart of everything we do, and that's why preparing our people for Workday and Banner is a top priority. Now is the time to lean in, stay engaged, and get the tools you need to move forward with confidence.

Emily Ferris, J.D., Ed.D.

Associate Director of Outreach & Change Management Lead – Encompass

Looking for more Encompass updates?

Stay Engaged

To learn more about Encompass:

Visit the encompass website
Or contact us at encompass@olemiss.edu

The University of Mississippi

P.O. Box 1848

University, MS 38677

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