Has your name legally changed since the time that you first connected with Penn State University? If so, your previous name may be displayed on all of Penn State’s digital systems, including your Penn State Access Account and your Canvas (course management system) profile. Fixing this is relatively straightforward, but you’ll need to fill out a form and provide some documentation of the legal name change status. The Penn State Registrar’s office provides instructions and forms for this name change process.
Specialized Name Changes
The Penn State Registrar’s office, mentioned above, is equipped to process documented legal name changes due to marriage, divorce, and court-ordered action. There are other cases when a student may wish to change the display of her/his name on Penn State information systems, and those cases are handled by the offices mentioned below. These support services are available for all Penn State students, including World Campus students.
People who are victims of abuse or violence or in any protected legal status, or whose legal minor children are in such status, may consult with the Penn State Center for Gender Equity about the public display of their identity information. The Center will consult with males who fall into one of those categories. Contacting them will give you the best guidance as to how to pursue the change of your display name on Penn State systems.
People who are transitioning their gender identity and who wish for their displayed name to match their current identity status should contact the Penn State LGBTQA Student Resource Center.
Directory Confidentiality
Students inquiring about name changes are often also interested in suppressing the display of their personal information on the Penn State Directory. Scroll down on the directory page to review guidelines for Confidentiality Requests.