Workday and Proxies

The college is transitioning from ACData to Workday Student. A chosen name (called a preferred name within Workday) will be used throughout Workday. Keep this in mind when you assign any proxies, such as a family member who pays a bill--the name they will see will be the chosen name.

Chosen Name at Amherst College

Amherst College students may edit their chosen name in Workday. Chosen name is a term used to refer to a first and/or second name a person chooses to represent themselves, often tied to their gender identity and/or is in line with their personal desired presentation of self. This may be different from the name an individual was given at birth. Students may also add personal pronouns to their record via Workday. In addition to contacting the Registrar's Office for support in changing names and pronouns, students may reach out to Amherst's Queer Resource Center for support, community, programming and more. 

Pronouns appear on course rosters at the college.

At Amherst College, chosen name appears on the following:

  • Course rosters
  • Moodle (the College’s Learning Management System)
  • Email display name
  • Student ID cards
  • Campus Directory

Directions on how to change chosen name (first name only) and add pronouns via Workday are available on the 'Update Your Personal Information' page of our Workday guide.

Students who do not want their chosen name made available as directory information should consider restricting access to directory information, in accordance with FERPA (Family Education Rights and Privacy Act).   Changes to directory information may be updated by filling out the Directory Information form and Returning it to the Registrar’s Office (Converse Hall, Room101). Restricting name and other information in the Amherst College directory does not mean that this information is anonymous to the College community, but rather to those outside of the institution.

First Name on Amherst College Records 

Amherst College students may choose how their first name appears on their degree verifications. Students may elect to have their legal name appear on College records, or they may add a chosen name to appear on these documents. Directions on how to update the name in Workday are available on the 'Update Your Personal Information' page of our Workday guide.

Students who choose to update their Transcript and Diploma Name but have not legally changed their first name should be aware that a limited number of College officials may have access to view the legal name, but it will not appear on outwardly facing documents. 

An individual’s legal name is defined as the name that identifies an individual for legal and official purposes. Legal name identifies an individual on official government records such as U.S. social security cards, state licenses, passports, and marriage or divorce decrees.

An Amherst College student who has completed a legal name change in Massachusetts or another state may update the name on their Amherst College student record via the Personal Data Update form. Documentation of the legal name change must be submitted to the Registrar’s Office. Upon receipt of this form and documentation, the legal name will be updated on the official student records.

Information on the court process to change a name legally in Massachusetts and additional support can be found at Amherst College’s Queer Resource Center. Additional information on College policies specific to the trans and nonbinary community can also be found on the QRC website. Students interested in legally changing their name who may be non-US citizens should first consult with the Center for International Student Engagement.

Diploma Name in Workday

  • When you log into Workday and view your profile, choose ‘Personal’ in the left hand column
  • Under "Names" click on the “Add” button 
  • Click on the “Name type” field and choose “Diploma” then, add your names in the following fields. 
  • Do not change the “Country” field from the automated response “United States of America” as this is an automated function and does not reflect citizenship, nationality, or identity.
  • Although all students decide how their name should appear, we strongly advise that international students use their passport name as their diploma name to avoid any challenges with this document in their home country. You can always include a chosen name for the Commencement program via Namecoach.