Preferred Name
Students, faculty and staff may designate a preferred first name (PFN) in university systems and applications. For example, if a your name is "Robert" but prefer to be known as "Bobby", you can update your preferred name, which systems will then use or display.
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Help your peers get to know you, your preferred name, and identity.
University Systems Heading link
For students, updating the preferred name listed in these steps will update in certain University systems including class rosters, the display name in Banner Self-Service, and the display name in Blackboard, most online phone directories, and on the University i-card.
To set or change your preferred first name* in University Systems:
- Log in to the My UIC Portal using your NetID and password.
- Go to the Student tab.
- Select Student Self-Service.
- Select Personal Information tab and select Preferred First Name.
- Follow prompts.
For more information, visit What is my preferred first name, and how can I set or change it?
*The University will also retain your full legal name, which is used when required by the University, such as in tax documents, contracts, academic transcripts, diplomas, and certain health records.
How Students Can Update Name & Pronouns in Blackboard Heading link
Students can provide name pronunciation, preferred names, and personal pronouns (e.g. he, him, his) in Blackboard so that it appears in the course Roster. This can help instructors and classmates get to know students, their name, and gender identity.
Updating preferences in one Blackboard course will be visible in the course Roster in all your courses. This step only needs to be completed once and your preferences do not expire.
To update preferences in Blackboard:
- Log into UIC Blackboard and go to a course.
- Select “Tools” in the course menu.
- If you do not see “Tools” in the course menu, the Tools menu may be hidden. Learn how to add the tools link to the content area in Blackboard.
- Select “My Information” and follow the prompts.
Updating Display Name & Pronouns in Zoom Heading link
Zoom Display Name
You can change your Zoom Display Name at uic.zoom.us. This will set the default name that appears when you join Zoom meetings while logged into your UIC Zoom account.
Visit How Do I Change my Default Display Name in Zoom for step-by-step instructions.
Zoom Pronouns (NEW!)
Learn how you can add pronouns to your Zoom profile.