Preferred First Name

Go by the Name You Prefer

Make Your College Experience Personal

A preferred first name is the name you choose to go by instead of your legal first name. Using a preferred name in Owens Community College student records is optional and can help make your college experience feel more personal.

You can set or update your preferred name in Workday, so it appears on class rosters, in email and in other college systems. All requests are reviewed to ensure names are appropriate for a college setting.

Use of Your Preferred First Name

Your preferred first name will appear across college systems, including:

  • Username
  • Email address
  • Workday
  • Blackboard
  • Other college software applications

Your previous email address will automatically become an alias, so messages sent to it will still reach your account.

How To Add or Update Your Preferred First Name

If you didn’t include a preferred first name on your original application:

  • Log in to Ozone
  • Click on Workday
  • Select your Profile icon in the upper right corner of the page
  • Choose View Profile
  • Click Personal in the blue menu on the left
  • Go to the Names tab at the top
  • Click Edit next to Preferred Name
  • If it’s checked, uncheck Use Legal Name As Preferred Name
  • Enter your preferred first name
  • Click Submit

Once your request is approved, you’ll get an email notification. Updating your preferred first name in Workday will automatically update your username. Changes usually appear across all systems within five business days.

Instructor Notification

Once your preferred first name is updated, your instructors will be notified by email. This only happens if you’re currently registered for a class that has already started. For classes that haven’t begun yet, your preferred first name will automatically appear on the class roster.

Legal First Name

Your legal first name is the name on official documents like your birth certificate, driver’s license, passport or Social Security card.

If you’ve legally changed your name, you’ll need to complete the Name Change form (found on your Personal Information card) and provide supporting documentation. Your preferred first name won’t change unless you request it separately.

Your legal first name will appear on all official college records and identification, including:

  • Application
  • Diplomas
  • Financial aid records
  • National Student Clearinghouse
  • Official correspondence
  • Transcripts

How To Change Your Preferred Name Back to Your Legal Name

You can switch your preferred name back to your legal name at any time. This will also update your username and email, and any old email addresses will continue to work as aliases and route to your updated account.

Follow these steps:

  • Log in to Ozone
  • Click on Workday
  • In the search bar, type Change My Preferred Name
  • Select the Change My Preferred Name task from the search results
  • Check the Use Legal Name as Preferred Name box
  • Click Submit

Once your request is approved, you’ll get an email notification. Changes usually appear across all systems within five business days.

Contact Us

Student Records

Email the Records Office with any questions about your preferred name.

Contact the Owens IT Help Desk if you need help logging into your accounts after changing your preferred name: