How do I enable multi-factor authentication (MFA) for my account?

Question

How do I enable MFA for my account? 

Answer

Enabling MFA for your account is a requirement for all users when logging into our systems from off campus. This includes accessing your Sierra College student email, mySierra, Canvas, Sierra Connect and more.  

You have two options for MFA: 

1. Use your phone number to get a login code by text or call 

2. Use an authenticator app to get a login code on your personal device (click here to jump to the instructions)

If you do not have a personal device to enable MFA, please contact studenttechsupport@sierracollege.edu.  

To set up your phone number:

Start by watching this video tutorial or by following the steps listed below.  

STEP 1: Go to https://aka.ms/mfasetup on your computer or mobile device 

STEP 2: Enter your Sierra College email address  

• Student email addresses: username@student.sierracollege.edu 
• Employee email addresses: username@sierracollege.edu 

STEP 3: You will be directed to the Sierra College login page. Enter your Sierra College username (not your full email address) and password to proceed. 

STEP 4: Click on the link in the lower left corner that says I want to set up a different method 

STEP 5: Choose Phone from the dropdown menu 

STEP 6: Enter your phone number and select Text me a code or Call me and then click Next.  

STEP 7: Enter the verification code sent to your device and then click Next. 

STEP 8: You are all done once you see the green checkmark with “SMS verified. Your phone was registered successfully”. Click Next to finish. 

STEP 9: Go to https://mysierra.sierracollege.edu to login 

STEP 10: Choose the Mobile App – Phone or Text option on the following screen.  

STEP 11: You will receive a code on your phone. Enter it on the following screen to proceed into your account.  

IMPORTANT NOTE FOR CHANGING YOUR PHONE NUMBER 

• If you change your phone number, and still have access to your old phone number, please take these steps to change your phone number on your MFA account. 

• If you change your phone number, and do not have access to your old phone number, please complete a service ticket for one of our specialists to reset your account.  

• Updating your phone number in mySierra will NOT update your MFA account. These are independent systems. Please use the instructions above to change your phone number for MFA. 

To set up an authenticator app

Start by watching this video tutorial or by following the steps listed below. Please do not attempt to add your Sierra College account to an authenticator app without going through these important steps first. 

STEP 1: Go to https://aka.ms/mfasetup on your computer or mobile device 

STEP 2: Enter your Sierra College email address  

• Student email addresses: username@student.sierracollege.edu 
• Employee email addresses: username@sierracollege.edu 

STEP 3: You will be directed to the Sierra College login page. Enter your Sierra College username (not your full email address) and password to proceed. 

STEP 4: If you haven’t already done so, download an authenticator app. For the purposes of these instructions, we recommend using the Microsoft Authenticator app (option #1, shown below), though other apps may be used (option #2, shown below). Click Next, then Next again to set up the app for your account. 

STEP 5: Open the authenticator app on your device, then add an account, select a work or school account. (Be sure to allow notifications on your device from the authenticator app.)  

STEP 6: Scan the QR code on your computer screen using your authenticator app on your device.  

Need Help? Please refer to the video tutorial to help you through this step as you will be using both your computer and your personal device to complete this process.  

STEP 7: After you scan the QR code, you will see this notification on your computer screen. From the authenticator app on your device, approve the login. 

STEP 8: You are all done once you see the green checkmark with “Notification approved” on your computer screen. Click Next to finish. 

STEP 9: Go to https://mysierra.sierracollege.edu to login 

STEP 10: Choose the Mobile App – Phone or Text option on the following screen 

STEP 11: Open your authenticator app to approve the login. You can also enter the code displayed on your authenticator app on the following screen to proceed into your account. 

IMPORTANT NOTE FOR CHANGING YOUR DEVICE 

• If you change devices (get a new phone) or reset your device, please complete a service ticket for one of our specialists to reset your account. 
• Updating your contact information will NOT change your contact methods for MFA. These are independent systems.

If you have any questions, please contact us!

• Students: (916) 660-7225 or via email studenttechsupport@sierracollege.edu
• Employees: (916) 660-7777 or via email servicedesk@sierracollege.edu