Río Hondo College migrated all current student email accounts from Gmail to Microsoft Outlook. This transition is part of our commitment to providing you with consolidated services, enhanced security features, and better integration with campus systems.
Why We're Making This Change
The migration to Microsoft Outlook brings several important benefits to our student community:
- Enhanced Security: Advanced threat protection and improved security posture to keep your data safe
- Consolidated Services: Seamless integration with campus Microsoft services you already use
- Better Features: Access to the full Microsoft 365 suite of productivity tools
- Improved Support: Streamlined technical support and troubleshooting processes
After the Migration
Starting December 17, you will access your student email through Microsoft Outlook. Detailed instructions and login information will be sent to your personal email address on file and posted on the college website.
Your Initial Login Credentials
When you first sign in to Outlook, you will use a temporary default password based on your birthdate and name. The password format is:
Default Password Format: RHC + 2-digit month + 2-digit day + 2-digit year + first initial + last initial (lowercase)
Example: If John Doe was born on August 23, 1986, the default password would be: RHC082386jd
Important: You will be prompted to change this password immediately upon your first login for security purposes. Choose a strong password that you haven't used elsewhere.
If you previously used email forwarding rules or filters in Gmail, please note that these settings did not transfer to Outlook. For security reasons, they were disabled during the migration. If needed, you can create new rules and filters directly in Outlook.
Multifactor Authentication (MFA)
To keep your account secure, you will use multifactor authentication (MFA) when signing in to your student email. This simply means you will confirm your login using your phone or another trusted device. It takes less than a minute to set up and helps protect your account from unauthorized access.
Password Resets
If you ever forget your password, no problem. You can reset it online by answering a few security questions you set up during your first login. This makes it quick and easy to get back into your account without needing to contact support.
Live Zoom Support Sessions
Get Help in Real-Time: Join our live Zoom support sessions for immediate assistance with the email migration. Our IT team will be available during the following times:
- Wednesday, December 17, 2025: 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM
- Thursday, December 18, 2025: 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM
- Friday, December 19, 2025: 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM
- Monday, December 22, 2025: 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM
- Monday, January 5, 2026: 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM
Note: Support sessions are only available during the scheduled times listed above. For assistance outside these hours, please submit a support ticket.