Norfolk State University: A Transformative Journey with Workday
Norfolk State University (NSU) is embarking on a bold and transformative journey to modernize how the institution manages its most valuable resource, its people. Over the past year, NSU has been diligently laying out the foundation for a new Human Capital Management (HCM) system powered by Workday. This effort signifies more than just a technology upgrade; it represents a fundamental shift toward increased efficiency, transparency, and empowerment for faculty, staff, and administrators.

Current Progress
At present, the Phase 1 Workday initiative is halfway complete. The university has successfully moved from the Architect & Configure phase to the Testing phase, with comprehensive end-to-end testing occurring.

• Core HR and Functional Modules: Significant progress has been made in Core HR, Recruiting, Compensation, Talent & Performance, and Academic Staffing. The configuration and fixing of defects in these modules are on track ahead of testing.
• Data Conversion and Validation: Key data sets, such as home contact info and pay groups, have been migrated to the E2E tenant. Ongoing validation and cleanup activities ensure the accuracy and reliability of these data.
• Change Management and Engagement: An active Change Network supports campus-wide engagement, while readiness workshops and regular communications, including Workday Wire newsletters and navigator meetings, promote transparency and participation.
• Training Readiness: The analysis of training needs is complete, and the development of role-based training content is underway.
• Testing Preparation: Project teams are finishing preparations for end-to-end testing, focusing on time tracking, learning workflows, and coordinating with campus leaders.
• Positive Campus Feedback: Surveys from kickoff and readiness events show strong support for the project, with 87.5% of attendees saying their expectations were met and 80% recommending more events like this.

Immediate Benefits Already Emerging

• HR procedures are becoming clearer.
• Faculty and staff have had early experience with user-friendly dashboards during Customer Confirmation Sessions.
• A spirit of teamwork is growing as departments unite to prepare for go-live.

Future Direction
As NSU approaches July 2026, the go-live date, the university enters this exciting phase of transformation. The goal is to simplify HR processes and empower every member of the Spartan community. But this is just the beginning. After the initial HCM rollout, NSU will begin Phase 2, rolling out Workday Financial, scheduled for summer 2027. Phase 3 will follow, launching Workday Student in 2029.

Future State Goals

• Modernize Core Systems: Transition from legacy platforms to a unified, cloud-based ERP solution (Workday), streamlining HR, Finance, and Student Information processes.
• Optimize Business Processes: Standardize workflows and best practices to reduce redundancy, improve data quality, and enhance compliance and audit readiness.
• Enable Real-Time Decision Making: Use advanced analytics and reporting to support quick, data-driven planning and responses.
• Improve User Experience: Offer simple, intuitive services and tools for students, faculty, and staff, promoting self-service.
• Strengthen Governance and Security: Build strong governance and risk management to keep operations sustainable and compliant.
• Continuous Improvement: Follow an agile approach with regular testing, training, and support to keep improving.

Engagement & Support

• Future role-based training opportunities will help users feel confident in using the system.
• A dedicated support team will be available during the “hypercare” period right after go-live.
• Ongoing learning opportunities will encourage adoption and help the campus community unlock advanced features.

What You Can Do Now

• Supervisors/Managers: Encourage staff to attend upcoming training, share Workday’s benefits, and keep everyone informed through official updates.
• Employees: Submit readiness surveys, sign up for training, and ask questions by reaching out to workday@nsu.edu. We want to hear from you!
• Everyone: Visit and bookmark the NSU Workday Project Website at workday.nsu.edu for FAQs, support tools, and up-to-date information about the project.
• Review the newsletter, The Workday Wire for monthly project updates.
• Complete the NSU Readiness Workday Survey #2, available January 5, 2026.

The Bigger Picture
The Workday rollout at Norfolk State University is more than just a tech upgrade. By connecting Human Capital Management, Finance, and Student systems into a single cloud platform, NSU will break down data silos, streamline workflows, and foster department collaboration. This project supports the university’s broader goal of achieving academic excellence and operational efficiency by using technology to empower faculty, staff, and students.

As NSU concludes the fall 2025 semester and begins the Spring 2026 term, a new chapter begins. With the groundwork in place and the community engaged, the future is clear. NSU will take a big step forward, July 2026, making human resource management more strategic and empowering for all Spartans. The phased rollouts of the Student and Finance modules will continue, aiming for a fully integrated ERP system by 2029.

Justin Moses, J.D., Ed. D.
Vice President for Operations & Chief Strategist for Institutional Effectiveness
Division of Operations