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Student email moving from Gmail to Microsoft Exchange Online (Exchange 365)

MCC is moving student email from Google Workspace (Gmail) to Microsoft Exchange Online (Exchange 365), which is part of the same Microsoft 365 tools you already use for Teams, OneDrive, and other services. This article explains what is changing, when it is happening, and how to prepare.

Overview

Who is affected: All students using @students.mclennan.edu email accounts.

What is changing:

  • Student email is moving from Google Workspace (Gmail) to Microsoft Exchange Online (Exchange 365).
  • Your @students.mclennan.edu email address will stay the same.
  • After the migration, new email will be delivered to your Exchange 365 mailbox and read through Outlook (web or mobile).
  • You will still be able to sign in to your MCC Google account to view old Gmail messages until December 12, 2026, but you will not be able to send or receive new mail from Gmail after the cutover.

When it is changing:

  • Migration window: December 13–15, 2025
  • We expect the migration to be completed before the start of business on December 16, 2025.

Email security and spam filtering: Email will continue to be filtered through Barracuda. There is no change to spam filtering or email security as part of this migration.

Before the migration

You do not need to change anything for classes, but you may want to take the following steps to prepare:

  • Export important Gmail messages (optional): If you want your own copy of your MCC Gmail messages, you can export them by following this IT Hub article: How to export data from Google Workspace.
  • Install Outlook mobile: If you read email on your phone or tablet, install the Microsoft Outlook app from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store.
  • Test your Microsoft 365 sign-in: Make sure you can sign in to https://www.office.com using your MCC student account.

During the migration window

During brief periods during the migration window, student email may be temporarily unavailable. Messages sent to you during this time will be queued by the Barracuda spam filter and delivered after the cutover is complete.

If you cannot access your student email for a short period during the weekend migration, try again later or use your course’s learning management system (LMS) messaging tools for urgent class-related communication.

After the migration

Check email in a web browser (Outlook on the web)

After the migration, student email will be accessed through Outlook on the web:

Student webmail URL: https://outlook.office.com/mail

The “Student Webmail” links on MCC websites will be updated to point to this address after the migration.

Check email on your phone (Outlook mobile)

We recommend using the Outlook app for the best experience with student email.

  1. Install Microsoft Outlook from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store.
  2. Open Outlook and choose to add a new account.
  3. Select Office 365 or Work or School account.
  4. Enter your student email address (for example, username@students.mclennan.edu) and password.
Microsoft Outlook mobile app showing an MCC student email inbox
Microsoft Outlook mobile app with a student mailbox (example).

Accessing old Gmail messages

After the migration:

  • New student email will be delivered to Exchange 365 and read through Outlook.
  • You will still be able to sign in to your MCC Google account and view older Gmail messages until December 12, 2026.
  • You will not be able to send or receive new messages in Gmail after the cutover weekend.

If you want your own copy of old Gmail messages, follow the export instructions in this IT Hub article.

Before and after comparison

This table shows how student email access will change.

Where you read MCC student email: before and after migration
Item Today (before December 13, 2025) After migration (after December 15, 2025)
Primary email system Google Workspace (Gmail) Microsoft Exchange Online (Outlook)
Webmail link Gmail via MCC Google sign-in https://outlook.office.com/mail
Mobile app Gmail or other personal email apps Microsoft Outlook app (recommended) or other apps using Exchange / Office 365 account type
New messages delivered to Gmail inbox Outlook / Exchange Online mailbox
Old Gmail messages Read, send, and receive in Gmail View-only in Gmail until December 12, 2026 (no new sending or receiving)

Frequently asked questions

Is my student email address changing?

No. Your @students.mclennan.edu email address will stay the same.

Do I have to move my old Gmail messages?

No. You will still be able to sign in to your MCC Google account to read your older Gmail messages until December 12, 2026. If you want your own copy of those messages, you can export them by following the steps in this IT Hub article.

What app should I use for student email after the migration?

We recommend using Outlook:

Will this change affect Microsoft Teams?

You will continue to use Microsoft Teams as you do today. Over time, having email and Teams on the same Microsoft 365 platform will make scheduling meetings and managing notifications easier.

What if I cannot access my email after December 16, 2025?

First, try signing in to https://outlook.office.com/mail with your MCC student account. If you still cannot access your email, contact the Help Desk for assistance.

Need help?

If you have questions or need assistance before, during, or after the migration:

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