- Any individual nominated for the Award must be a member of the KSU community (all eight campuses). This person could be retired, part or full time faculty or staff member at KSU who shall have completed at least three years of continuous service at the university.
- No individual shall be eligible to receive the award more than once every seven years.
- 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. Nominees may be responsible for programs, policies, procedures, curriculum, instruction etc.
- 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.
- The selection committee members shall not be eligible in the year that they serve, but may resign if recommended for evaluation.