James Bruce Harreld (born December 12, 1950)[1] is an American businessman and academic administrator who served as the 21st president of the University of Iowa.
Formerly a business consultant, Harreld succeeded Sally Mason as president on November 2, 2015, after serving in senior corporate roles at Kraft Foods, Boston Market, and IBM.
His father, James Sr., grew up on an 80-acre farm in Marion, Indiana, and spent the bulk of his career building power plants across the Midwest for the United States Atomic Energy Commission.
[5] Harreld's appointment to the presidency of the University of Iowa was a controversial one, with his faculty objecting to the fact that he does not possess a doctorate, had limited publications to his name, and had minimal experience working in higher education.
[7] In September 2015, the Faculty Senate voted no confidence in Iowa Board of Regents as a result of Harreld's appointment.