William E. Trueheart

William E. Trueheart (born July 10, 1942) is an American academic administrator and nonprofit CEO who served as president of Bryant University from 1989 to 1996.[1] He was the first African American to lead a 4-year private college in New England.[2] Following his departure from Bryant, Trueheart served as president and CEO of three nonprofit organizations: Reading Is Fundamental (1997–2001), The Pittsburgh Foundation (2001–2007), and Achieving the Dream (2007–2015).[3][4]

Trueheart holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in political science and economics from the University of Connecticut, an Master of Public Administration from the Harvard Kennedy School, and a Doctor of Education degree from the Harvard Graduate School of Education.[5] His honorary degrees include a PhD in Humane Letters from Bryant University, a PhD in education from Bridgewater State University, and a Doctor of Business Administration from Johnson & Wales University.[6]