Preferred First Name
The college recognizes that some students may prefer to use a first name other than their legal name to identify themselves. As long as the use of a preferred first name is not for an improper purpose, the college acknowledges that a preferred first name can and should be used where possible in the course of college business and education. Students may use a preferred first name wherever a legal name is not required on internal documents, communications, systems, and web portals. Examples include, but are not limited to:
- Student identification cards
- Email and calendar entries
- Class rosters and advisor lists
- Learning Management Systems
- Diplomas, awards, and recognitions
In order for any student to change their legal name on college records, a student must present a certified copy of a court order or other legal document indicating a legal name change has been granted.
A student’s legal name shall be used on all college documents, systems and communications external to the college and/or where a legal name is required. Examples include, but are not limited to:
- Financial Aid records
- Student Accounts records
- Student Personally Identifiable Information
- Student Directory information
- Payroll records
- Health records
- Official transcripts
- Federal immigration documents
- Interactions with government agencies
New, re-admitted, and current students can inform the college of their preferred first name by completing the Preferred First Name Change Form. You must be logged in to your STCC account to access the form.
Frequently Asked Questions
New, re-admitted, and current students can inform the college of their preferred first name by completing the Preferred First Name Change Form. You must be logged in to your STCC account to access the form.
No, you do not have to specify a preferred first name. This is a service for those who wish to be known on campus by something other than their legal name. If you regularly use your legal name, then please do not submit a preferred first name request.
Students may use a preferred first name wherever a legal name is not required on internal documents, communications, systems, and web portals. Examples include, but are not limited to:
- Student identification cards
- Email and calendar entries
- Class rosters and advisor lists
- Blackboard Learning Management Systems
- Diplomas, awards, Commencement Ceremony and publications
Notify the Registrar’s Office at registrar@stcc.edu.
The Registrar’s Office emails all students who are pending graduation when they are enrolled in the final classes they need for graduation. In those communications, students are provided the option of changing the name that appears on their diploma and other Commencement Ceremony communications and publications, from their preferred first name back to their legal first name.
The college reserves the right to modify, change, alter or rescind at any time a preferred first name if it contains inappropriate or offensive language, or is being used for misrepresentation.
If you complete the Preferred First Name Change Form after the start of the semester it is recommended you inform your instructors because they are not notified directly and may not notice the name change on their rosters.
To change your legal name, students must complete the Name Change and Information Update Form available on the Registrar’s Office Portal page. More information can be found in the Academic Information section of the web Catalog under the section Changes in Biographical Data.
A student’s legal name shall be used on all college documents, systems and communications external to the college and/or where a legal name is required. Examples include, but are not limited to:
- Financial Aid records
- Student Accounts records
- Student Personally Identifiable Information
- Student Directory information
- Payroll records
- Health records
- Official transcripts
- Federal immigration documents
- Interactions with government agencies
- External mailings