To better protect your personal information and enhance the security of our systems, Washtenaw Community College is implementing two important updates to student technology services beginning Thursday, July 24.
The transition to Microsoft Outlook for student email and the implementation of Microsoft Authenticator for multi-factor authentication will ensure more seamless integration with other applications and allows the college’s Office of Information Technology Services to provide greater support storage management, security and threat protection, and account management.
A look at each of the two upcoming changes and the steps you’re required to take:
STUDENT EMAIL MOVING FROM GMAIL TO OUTLOOK ON 7/24/2025
WCC is transitioning all student email accounts from Google Gmail to Microsoft Outlook, the same email platform used by college faculty and staff.
The switch will happen beginning shortly before midnight on Wednesday, July 23, and will be complete by 7 a.m. on Thursday, 24. You will have access to your Gmail account during the transition, but once your Outlook account has been established, your Gmail account will no longer receive email addressed to you.
Moving forward, any email sent to your [email protected] email address will arrive in your WCC Outlook email account only.
ACTION REQUIRED: On laptops and desktop computers, we suggest you access your WCC student email via the WCC Student Gateway. After the transition, both the “Student Email” tile and the email box in the “Quick Links for Students” tile will direct you to your new Outlook account.
On your phone or other mobile devices, we suggest you download the MyWCC mobile app for direct access to your new Outlook account.
Your Google Gmail account will not go away, but rather will become an accessible archive of past communications. To access your Gmail, log into the Student Gateway and locate the “Old Email” tile.
Previously received email will not automatically transfer from Gmail to Outlook. If you have important email that you’ve saved in your Gmail account, you can forward them to yourself after the transition date and they will populate in your Outlook account.
MULTI-FACTOR AUTHENTICATION REQUIRED BEGINNING 7/24/2025
To help keep WCC’s data secure and protected, we’re making an important update to the way you log in to college systems. Starting Thursday, July 24, all students will be required to use multi-factor authentication (MFA) via Microsoft Authenticator when logging into college systems, including Canvas, email, MyWCC and more.
MFA adds an extra layer of protection by requiring both your password and a verification from an app. Once you verify your identity through Microsoft Authenticator during your initial login, you’ll be able to seamlessly access all WCC systems without additional prompts.
Many students previously accessed Microsoft Authenticator when WCC announced in February that it would require multi-factor authentication to use our third-party payment provider, TouchNet. Those who did will not be required to take additional steps, you’ll simply start using the app to log into all other WCC systems.
ACTION REQUIRED: Those who did not previously install Microsoft Authenticator in February need to follow these step-by-step instructions before July 24 to have access to WCC systems.
We understand any change to your routine can be an adjustment, so we’re here to help make this process as smooth as possible. If you need help accessing your email or setting up Microsoft Authenticator, contact the ITS HelpDesk at 734-973-3456 or [email protected].
Thank you for taking these important steps to keep your information and our network secure!