Preferred Names
Preferred Names
Everett Community College values and honors diverse experiences and perspectives and strives to create a welcoming and respectful learning environment to promote access, opportunity and justice for all. Referring to students by the name they wish to be called in classrooms and when interacting with college personnel supports a respectful learning environment. The reasons for choosing a preferred name that may be different from a legally changed name are personal and different for each individual.
Changing Your Preferred Name in ctcLink
You can add or update a preferred name in ctcLink or visit Enrollment Services in Parks Student Union Room 201 to add a preferred name.
How to change your preferred name in ctcLink
If you change your preferred name after the first day of the quarter, then you must notify your instructors of the change to your preferred name. The college will not notify them that you have provided or changed a preferred name, although they will be able to see your preferred name and your student identification number on their class roster.
Updating ctclink will only update your preferred name in ctclink in the following places:
- Student Services Center
- Advisor Center
- Instructor Class and Grade Roster
Staff, faculty and students can refer to the ctcLink Reference Center for Name Type Display in Campus Solutions
to see where the primary name will still be displayed.
Changing Your Preferred Name in Canvas
Students can update their preferred name in Canvas by updating their display name. Please note that updating your display name will not update ctcLink.
Changing Your EvCC Student Email and Username
Students can update their EvCC Student Email and Username by emailing registration@everettcc.edu or visiting Enrollment Services in-person in Parks Student Union, Rm 201. Enrollment Services will then submit a ticket to our Technology Services TechHub to request the change. This change is not connected with ctcLink. It is recommended that the preferred name in ctcLink be also updated to reflect information on faculty rosters.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a preferred name?
A preferred name is a name a student wishes to be known by in the college community that is different from a student’s legal name.
What is a legal name?
A legal name is the name that appears on your passport, driver’s license, birth certificate, or U.S. Social Security Card.
Why does Everett Community College use preferred names?
Everett Community College values and honors diverse experiences and perspectives and strives to create a welcoming and respectful learning environment to promote access, opportunity and justice for all. Referring to students by the name they wish to be called in classrooms and when interacting with college personnel supports a respectful learning environment.
What does a preferred name mean at Everett Community College?
The term “preferred name” refers to a name that an individual wishes to use that differs from their legal name on legal documents and/or differs from the name that is listed on a student’s original Everett Community College student record that has not been changed legally.
Where will the preferred name appear?
- Class lists
- ctcLink*
- MyEvCC Portal
- Student ID card
- Student database screen used by college staff and administrators like Starfish
- Student email can be updated to reflect the preferred name**
- Diploma***
* Please note that at this time, ctcLink can still show your legal name in certain areas of ctcLink. Students may ask staff to pull up their account in the Student Services Center. This module will display the preferred name first.
** To update your student username and email, please email registration@everettcc.edu to get the process started.
*** You may request your preferred name to be printed on your diploma at the time you submit your graduation application.
What documents cannot display a preferred name?
Legal names, not preferred names, will appear on transcripts, official student accounts and financial aid records, certification documents, student employment records, and immigration/SEVIS documents.
Where will my legal name be used?
Your legal name will be used in business processes and other activities that require use of a legal name. These include, but are not limited to:
- Student Financial Services Documentation
- Financial Aid
- Student Employment Records
- Federal Requests for Information
- National Student Clearinghouse
- Transcripts
- Academic Certifications
- International Education Documentation
Does a preferred name affect my legal name?
No. Setting a preferred name does not change your legal name.
How do I change my legal name?
You can update your legal name with Enrollment Services via email or in-person. You must provide official documentation to prove the legal name change.
Official documentation for a legal name change is considered one of the following:
- Government issued ID AND Social Security card with the new name
- Certified Court Order
- Marriage Certificate
- Dissolution/Divorce Decree
As a student, do I have to use a preferred name?
No. Students have the choice to use of a preferred name is optional.
When will my preferred name go into effect?
Typically, it will take 24 business hours for the update to take effect in our college systems. You may change your preferred name at any time and more than once. Please note that not all systems automatically update. You may need to put in a request. If you have questions, please email registration@everettcc.edu.
Why would someone want to use a preferred name?
The reasons for choosing a preferred name that may be different from a legally changed name are personal and different for each individual.
Students may have many reasons for asking to have their preferred names, over their legal names, displayed on non-legal documents:
- Students known by names that are different from their legal names
- Transgender or gender-nonconforming identities
- International students or other students who wish to adopt an English language name
What are the terms and conditions of setting a preferred name at Everett Community College?
When you set your preferred name, you agree that:
- You have not set a preferred name with an intent to impersonate someone else, to deceive, or to defraud
- Hate speech, inappropriate language, or repeated frequent use of this feature may bar you from using this feature, at Everett Community College’s discretion
Are there any preferred name restrictions?
Preferred names may not be used for purposes of fraud or misrepresentation. Everett Community College reserves the right to remove a preferred name if it contains inappropriate or offensive language.
Who do I contact if I have more questions?
Please contact Enrollment Services.