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Student Name and Identity

Home » Current Students » Student Handbook Policies » Conduct and Community Standards » Student Name and Identity

NWTC values the inherent worth of each person at the College. This valuing of each person’s inherent worth means that our College treats all with respect, compassion, and fairness. This is in accordance with our Nondiscrimination and Anti-Harassment policy. The following page outlines the process and procedure on how a student can make the below changes on their account:

  • Change legal name
  • Change legal gender
  • Change/correct social security number
  • Add a preferred name
  • Add gender identity
  • Add gender pronouns

Preferred Name   

Students have the option to add a preferred name to their student account.  This can be done when creating an account through the Student Portal (my.NWTC) and every six months thereafter.  Students can also contact NWTC for assistance with updating the preferred name on their account at any time.   

The student’s preferred name will be displayed within the student information systems: my.NWTC, Blackboard, Starfish and if desired, it can also be used in the student NWTC email and diploma.  The preferred name will also be used in communications sent to the student by the College. Students should note that the preferred name may not be applicable/used in all instances based on College reporting parameters and capabilities.   

Northeast Wisconsin Technical College reserves the right to deny any name change that is deemed inappropriate in nature or chosen for the purposes of misrepresentation or fraud.   

Legal Name, Legal Gender &  Social Security Number Change

Adding a preferred name does not change a student’s legal name as part of their educational record. The legal name will be used for College business or legal needs. Examples of such uses include, but are not limited to, official transcripts, academic records, billing records, financial aid records, clinical placement records, licensing certification records, international student records, and employment, benefit, and payroll records. A student may initiate a legal name change by submitting a request and providing documentation of the legal name change.  

Students can request a legal name, legal gender & social security number change to be made for academic record purposes.  Students must submit a request along with proof via appropriate documentation.  Requests are accepted for both current students and previous students whose records are maintained in the student database.   

Students must provide one of the following items and submit either original or a copy of original legal documentation verifying the legal change.  Documentation can be one of the following: Valid Driver’s License, Valid State ID Card, Social Security Number Card, or Official Legal Documentation which may include a court order, marriage license, divorce decree, or any other legal document.  Submitted documentation will be stored in your NWTC student account and may be used for verification purposes.  

Legal name will be used in accordance with legal requirements on documents such as all financial aid related forms/documents, billing statements, tax forms, background checks, transcripts, National Student Clearing House, and any employment records.    

Gender Identity and Gender Pronouns  

Students have the option to voluntarily self-identify a gender identity and/or gender pronouns on their student portal (my.NWTC).  This can be done when creating an account through the Student Portal and every six months thereafter.  Students can also contact NWTC for assistance with updating their gender identity and/or gender pronouns on their account at any time.  The designated gender identity and gender pronouns will be saved within the student information system.    

Gender identity is different from biological sex. For business and reporting purposes, the College is required to collect data regarding students’ biological sex. Students should note that the indicated gender identity and gender pronouns may not be applicable/used in all instances based on college reporting parameters and capabilities.     

Use and Display of Preferred Names, Legal Names, Gender Identity, and Gender Pronouns 

The preferred name and gender pronouns will be used where possible in the course of College business. Implementation will be gradual; this information is currently available on some, not all, computer systems, screens, and documents. It will be displayed on additional screens and reports as our software is updated. Students utilizing a preferred name may be asked to reference their legal name as well as provide identification when necessary.