More than 30 male leaders from Clinton and Ashford University will don bright red high heeled shoes to promote awareness of sexual violence on Tuesday, April 9.

The “Walk a Mile in Her Shoes” event, set to begin at noon outside of Ashford’s St. Francis Gymnasium, will coincide with the Clinton YWCA’s annual “Take Back the Night” event that is planned for 6:30 p.m. that same day at Ashford University.

The Walk a Mile in Her Shoes organization was created in 2001 and has grown to become a worldwide movement with men raising funds for local rape crisis centers, domestic violence shelters and other sexual violence education, prevention and remediation programs.

This year we are just using the event for awareness of the sexual violence issues instead of having a fundraiser,” said Audra Adams, manager of service learning at Ashford University.

However, she said Ashford’s participants will not just be asked to walk in their ruby-colored shoes. “To make it more fun, they will have to race around traffic control cones and carry items, including baby car seats and grocery bags.”

Scheduled to wear the fancy footwear on April 9 are the following community leaders: Clinton City Councilman Jack Rowland, Clinton Police Chief Brian Guy (and two other officers), Trevor Lampe (YWCA), Sheriff Rick Lincoln, Steve Cundiff  (Clinton County Sheriff’s Department), Adam Blank (Clinton County Attorney’s Office), Gregg Obren (Clinton Parks and Recreation director), Brian Schmidt (Clinton County Board of Supervisors), John Staszewski (Clinton County Board of Supervisors), Norlan Hinke (Rotary Club president and senior vice president at Clinton National Bank), and a representative from the Clinton Fire Department.

Representing the Ashford University campus will be John Ballheim (campus director and vice president), Larry Libberton (director of communications), Charlie Minnick (dean of the college of business and professional studies), Kevin Jannusch (head softball coach), Richard Markham (head men’s soccer coach), Oliver Drake (head men’s basketball coach), Andy Eberhart (associate athletic director), Michael LeBlanc (director of security and safety), and faculty members Erik Johnson and Chase Pielak.

Wearing high heels in the student division will be Craig Butcher, Ben Headlee, Charlie Holsinger, Jason Greenwood, Joe Lightfoot, Tyler Minnick, Vesteinn Sveinsson, and Jared Walsh.

The public is invited to the event. For more information, contact Audra Adams, 563.242.4023, ext. 7242.

About Ashford University

Ashford University is defining the modern college experience by combining the heritage of a traditional campus with the flexibility and effectiveness of online learning. The University provides a vibrant learning community where high-quality programs and leading-edge technology create a dynamic, immersive and stimulating learning experience. The University offers practical and progressive associate's, bachelor's and master's degree programs online, as well as bachelor’s degree programs at its Clinton, Iowa, campus. Ashford University – where heritage meets innovation. For more information, please visit www.ashford.edu or call Shari Winet Rodriguez, vice president of Public Relations, at 858.513.9240 x2513.