{"id":285,"date":"2025-03-10T15:10:29","date_gmt":"2025-03-10T20:10:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/uwm.edu\/registrar\/?page_id=285"},"modified":"2026-03-26T12:15:30","modified_gmt":"2026-03-26T17:15:30","slug":"instructor-preferred-name","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/uwm.edu\/registrar\/faculty-staff-resources\/instructor-preferred-name\/","title":{"rendered":"Instructor Preferred Name"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Instructor Preferred Name<\/h1><\/header>\n\n\n

The University of Wisconsin \u2013 Milwaukee recognizes that instructors may choose to identify themselves within the university community with a preferred first and\/or middle name that differs from their legal name. The goal of the Instructor Preferred Name option at UWM is to provide a consistent preferred name experience across University systems and use of one\u2019s preferred name wherever legal name is not absolutely necessary.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As long as the use of the preferred first and\/or middle name is not for the purpose of misrepresentation, it will appear instead of the legal name in select university systems and documents except where the use of the legal name is required by university business or legal need.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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\nPAWS<\/a>\n\n\n\nStellic<\/a>\n\n\n\nContact<\/a>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Places Where Instructor Preferred Name Will & Will NOT Appear<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Where Instructor Preferred Name Will Appear<\/div>
PAWS Class Search
PAWS Class Details
PAWS Student Class Schedule
PAWS Class Roster
PAWS Grade Roster
Canvas
UWM Online Campus Directory
UWM Mobile App
Office 365<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
Where Instructor Preferred Name Will NOT Appear<\/div>
Panthercard
Online Schedule of Classes
PAWS \u2013 administrative pages used to setup classes<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/section>\n\n\n\n
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Requesting a Preferred Name for Instructors<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

UWM instructors can use the Preferred Name Request Form<\/a> to indicate a preferred first and\/or middle name. This form also can be used to alter or remove an existing preferred name. Newly hired instructors should not submit the request form until they are assigned to classes to ensure their account is connected to all applicable campus systems, such as D2L.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Requests are typically processed within 1-3 business days, at which time the preferred name will appear in the systems identified above.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Any questions about the processing of a preferred name request can be directed to the Registrar\u2019s Office via the Contact Us on the quick links menu.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/section>\n\n\n\n

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Frequently Asked Questions<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Can I submit a preferred name request as soon as I am hired at UWM?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

You should wait to submit the preferred name request until you are assigned to classes to ensure your\u202faccount is connected to all applicable campus systems, such as D2L.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Is preferred name available for staff who are not instructors?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Not at this time.  Staff who would like to update their directory name that appears in Office 365 and the UWM Directory may do so by submitting a help request<\/a> to University Information Technology Services (UITS).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Is preferred name available for students?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Yes.  See the Your Information section of the Registrar\u2019s office website<\/a> for more information.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If I already submitted a preferred name request as a student, do I also need to submit a request as an instructor?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

No.  The preferred name reflected on your account as a student will automatically apply to your record as an instructor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How long will it take for my preferred name to start appearing in campus systems?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Typically, preferred name requests will be processed within 1-3 business days of submission. Once processed, the preferred name will immediately appear in PAWS, while there may be a delay of\u202f1-3 additional\u202fbusiness days for other campus systems.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Will my preferred name appear on my Panthercard (employee ID card)?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Not at this time. The Panthercard will only display your legal name.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Is my preferred name reflected in my ePanther ID?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

No. Your ePanther ID (the part of your UWM email address that comes before the \u201c@\u201d) is based on your legal name. See the UITS Account & Access Management website<\/a> for information on changing your ePanther ID.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How many times can I change my preferred name?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Indicating a preferred name can have ripple effects throughout your day-to-day experiences. Changing your preferred name more than once can lead to confusion regarding your identity, challenges in customer service, and\/or the interruption of your ability to access some University systems.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why am I not allowed to indicate a preferred last name?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

To ensure that students and staff are able to appropriately identify you for various university purposes, your legal last name will always appear in conjunction with a preferred first and\/or middle name.<\/p>\n\n\n\n