Workday named leader in 2025 Gartner education systems

Workday has been recognised as a Leader in the 2025 Gartner Magic Quadrant for Higher Education Student Information Systems, highlighting its role in modernising education technology.

Jo-Anne Ruhl, Vice President and Managing Director for Australia and New Zealand at Workday, commented on the achievement. "Being named a Leader in the inaugural Gartner Magic Quadrant for Higher Education Student Information Systems is strong recognition of Workday's commitment to helping higher education institutions around the world modernise and transform to meet the sector's evolving needs," she stated. Ruhl further added that several universities in Australia and New Zealand, including Macquarie University, Deakin University, and the University of Queensland, already utilise Workday for human resources and finance operations. With the introduction of Workday Student in these regions, the company aims to enhance the student experience, utilising insights from over 40 global institutions alongside input from a local advisory panel.

Workday's Student Information System supports more than 3 million student records globally, facilitating improved engagement and adaptation to the dynamic needs of higher education. Michael Hofherr, Senior Vice President and Group General Manager for Industry at Workday, noted, "We believe being named a leader in the inaugural Gartner Magic Quadrant for Higher Education Student Information Systems underscores our dedication to driving innovation and empowering higher education institutions to thrive in today's evolving landscape. The volume of customers that have chosen Workday Student speaks to the power of our unified platform in delivering new insights and improved experiences for students, faculty, and staff."

Since its initial deployment in 2018, Workday Student has seen significant uptake, with more than 135 customers representing over 190 schools. Over 85 institutions have gone live with the system, including the University of Arkansas System, Carthage College, Suffolk University, Tallahassee State College, and Wake Forest University. The platform integrates with Workday Financial Management, Workday Human Capital Management, Workday Adaptive Planning, and Workday Grants Management, offering real-time insights to support various administrative and financial functions.

Steven Fulkerson, Chief Information Officer at the University of Arkansas System, shared the impact of Workday Student on their operations. "Workday is an integral partner in our digital transformation journey," he remarked. Fulkerson highlighted that the platform simplifies processes for students in managing schedules and financial aid, while empowering educational institutions to enhance academic experiences.

Similarly, Mur Muchane, Chief Information Officer at Wake Forest University, highlighted the operational improvements witnessed following the adoption of Workday Student. "With Workday Student, we now have a platform that students can interact with on-the-go, empowering them to manage their academic and administrative needs independently. This has reduced friction and improved satisfaction across the board," said Muchane.

Brandon Porter, Registrar at Carthage College, also emphasised the strategic advantage provided by Workday. "With Workday, we can understand and get a better idea of how our processes are impacting our recruitment, or revenue, and retention, which is ultimately the biggest goal for us to remain sustainable in the coming years," noted Porter.

The rapid expansion of Workday Student, especially its recent availability in Canada and Australia-New Zealand, signals the platform's growing influence in the higher education sector. Workday aims to continue leveraging its artificial intelligence capabilities to provide comprehensive data insights, thereby enhancing the educational experience for students and staff alike.