Diversity Trailblazer Award
The Diversity Trailblazer Award is a university-wide award that recognizes faculty, staff, or departmental group for their significant contributions to enhance diversity and inclusive excellence at KSU.
Diversity Trailblazer Recipient of 2012
Dean David Mohan
Dean David Mohan
The Division of DEI presented its 2012 Diversity Trailblazer award to Dean David Mohan of Kent State’s Geauga Campus for his enthusiastic and effective leadership on diversity and inclusion in recruitment, academics and other Campus initiatives.
In accepting the award, Mohan thanked the faculty, staff and students at the Geauga Campus and the Kent State University Regional Academic Center. “This award reaffirms my belief that initiatives such as increasing diversity throughout an organization can best be accomplished by a team of dedicated individuals who believe and practice the tenants of an open and supportive culture of differing points of view and personal perspectives,” Mohan said.
Mohan cited the successful diversity initiative that supports junior and senior high students in and around Cleveland’s inner city, to help them value the importance of a university education. Those efforts focus primarily in the minority church congregations in several socioeconomically disadvantaged areas.
During Mohan’s tenure, Geauga Campus minority enrollment has increased from 2 percent to between 12 and 15 percent, while retention for all students also increased. The full-time faculty at the Geauga Campus is 79 percent women and minorities.
Diversity Trailblazer Recipient of 2011
Rev. Ronald Fowler
Rev Fowler
Rev. Ronald Fowler
A distinguished Kent State alumnus, Fowler is a member of the inaugural Hall of Fame of the College of Education, Health and Human Services, and a consultant to the university on diversity recruitment and retention. He also works with Akron and Cleveland public schools on behalf of the university.
Fowler also chaired the influential Commission on Inclusion, a broad-based panel whose 15 recommendations laid the groundwork for Kent State’s push to "Inclusive Excellence" – now a core university value of maintaining a welcoming and nurturing learning environment for students, faculty and staff.
"The Trailblazer Award recognizes pioneers for diversity, those who bring proven sustainability and progressive change to our community," says Dr. Alfreda Brown, vice president for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion. "That description could have been written with Rev. Ron Fowler in mind. His life has been one of tireless service and significant contributions to diversity and community engagement."
Fowler is well-known in the region for his long tenure as senior pastor of Akron’s Arlington Church of God, as a board member of Akron Public Schools and as a leader in other civic and business boards and organizations.
Diversity Trailblazer Recipient of 2010
Dr. Delores L. Noll
Previous Recipient: The first Diversity Trailblazer Award to Professor Emeritus of English Delores L. Noll. The award was presented to Dr. Noll by President Dr. Lester Lefton and Kent State’s Vice President of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Alfreda Brown.
Dr. Brown presents Trailblazer Award to Dr. Noll
Noll also was a founding adviser to the Kent Gay Liberation Front, now called PRIDE! Kent, one of the oldest gay rights student organizations in the country.
The Diversity Trailblazer Award will recognize those who are considered trailblazers for diversity; bringing proven sustainability and progressive change to include, but not limited to programs, policies, procedures, structures, curriculum, etc. relating to success in diversity at Kent State University.
One award will be given annually to a person or group.
a. Any individual or group nominated for the Award must be a member of the KSU community. This person(s) could be retired, part or full time faculty or staff member at KSU who shall have completed at least three years of continuous full-time service at the university.
b. No individual or group shall be eligible to receive the award more than once every seven years.
c. Nominees for the Award may be an individual whose position responsibilities are not focused on diversity and inclusion, but who routinely and voluntarily makes diversity and inclusion a priority in much of what he or she does; or the candidate may be one whose major responsibilities are implementing diversity and inclusion initiatives, but who also consistently explores unique ways to go above and beyond expectations.
d. Nominees are trailblazers with a proven sustainability record and progressive change in areas of inclusive excellence in diversity. These might include, but are not limited to programs, policies, procedures, structures, curriculum, etc. relating to success in diversity at Kent State University.
e. The selection committee members shall not be eligible in the year that they serve, but may resign if recommended for evaluation.
3. Criteria for Award
a. Each candidate(s) shall meet the eligibility requirements detailed above.
b. The selection committee shall thoroughly investigate and establish that the candidate has clearly and unequivocally demonstrated superior commitment to the enhancement, development and sustainability of inclusive excellence in diversity on the KSU campus.
-The candidate(s) made significant contributions to the cause of inclusion on the campus.
-The candidates' achievements have been attested to by persons, both internal and external to the KSU community, who are familiar with achievements and who are capable of evaluating them;
-The candidate(s) are or have been involved with and served the KSU community as a whole.
To nominate an individual for the Diversity Trailblazer Award, complete the nomination form that can be found by clicking the following link: Diversity Trailblazer Award Nomination Form.
You may print the nomination form and send it to the address listed on the bottom of the form. The nomination should demonstrate why the person is being nominated. Additional supporting materials will be accepted but are not required; supporting information must be received by the close of the nomination period, Monday, October 24, 2011.
Nomination will be reviewed for eligibility requirements and a final list will be submitted to the Diversity Trailblazer Award committee for final decision on the recipient. The recipient will be announced in January at the MLK Celebration on January 26, 2012.
4. Presentation of the Award
The presentation of the Award shall be at a major university-wide event to which all constituent parties of the university have been invited. The ceremony shall be presided over by the Vice President of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion or his/her representative.
5. Nomination Process
Nominations may be submitted by individuals who wish to be considered on their own behalf; by co-workers who wish to nominate a colleague; by students, faculty, staff, or others who may benefit from or are aware of the nominee's efforts. Nomination materials will be available to all campus constituents through the Division of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion. Completed nominations are due to the Selection Committee by the date listed in advertisement of award.
6. Charge to Diversity Trailblazer Award Selection Committee
The Award Selection Committee shall consist of a diverse group of members from the university, including 2 faculty members, 2 staff members, and the Executive Director from the Division of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion. The past year's recipient may be invited to fill a position on the committee for the following year.
Once nominees have been identified the process shall be:
a. The committee will determine the top three to five candidates. Notification will be sent to those top candidates to confirm their interest in being considered for this award. At least two members of the committee will interview each candidate or team.
b. Candidates will be evaluated without discrimination, including, but not limited to, discrimination based on gender, religion, race, nationality or disability.
d. The recipient will be informed of their selection as will the runners-up.
Any questions may be directed to Diane Matasek in the Office of the Vice President of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion at dmatasek@kent.edu or 330-672-2442.
