Preferred Names
At Bellevue College students can identify the name they would like to be called in classroom settings. This preferred name is currently used on class rosters visible to instructors. The college is working on using making preferred names available in other campus applications.
Changing your preferred name
- Log into ctcLink with your ctcLink ID number and password
- Click on “My Profile” on the left-hand side banner
- Click on “Biographical Information” from the dropdown options
- Under “Names” select the pencil in the row labeled “Preferred Name”
- Edit the information and click “Save”
Frequently Asked Questions
The State Board for Community and Technical Colleges (SBCTC) and Bellevue College value and honor diverse perspectives, identities, and experiences. As long as the use of a preferred name is not for the purpose of misrepresentation, Bellevue College acknowledges that a preferred name should be used whenever possible in the course of all college business and education. Bellevue College believes providing the option of a preferred name supports and affirms the diverse needs of students and promotes student success. Using a student’s preferred name in all campus interactions supports the goal of ensuring equity and inclusion.
The student’s preferred name refers to a first name that appears on instructor rosters. In Canvas, the display name can be edited and updated by the student. Where possible, a preferred name will be used, however certain documentation, such as paychecks and financial aid requiring a legal name change, will not change to the preferred name.
There are many reasons why a student would want to use a preferred name: using a name they have always been known by, changing a name to align with their gender, or in pursuit of self-determination.
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.
You make the changes by submitting at ticket to ITS.
To change your legal / official name in Bellevue College’s systems, you must submit the change at Student Central or by submitting a ticket.
No. Use of a preferred name is completely optional.