Kathleen A. Rinehart serves as General Counsel and Secreatry of the Corporation for Saint Xavier University in Chicago, IL. The University, which celebrated its 170th anniversary in 2016, is the oldest Catholic university in Illinois. Kathleen serves as its first General Counsel. Her responsibilities include oversight of the University’s Board operations, legal affairs, enterprise risk management and University compliance.
Prior to her work at SXU, Kathleen represented numerous colleges and universities throughout Wisconsin and developed a successful General Counsel model for use at institutions that lacked an established, in-house legal affairs office.
Kathleen was awarded a Masters in Dispute Resolution in May 2012, with a focus on the design of dispute resolution systems and tools for use in higher education and other nonprofit organizations. She provides consulting, leadership development, conflict coaching, facilitation and mediation services to colleges and universities across the country. In this work, Kathleen consults with individuals and key campus constituencies to address the issues that lead to conflict, and identifies those practical communication tools necessary to prevent and/or better manage conflict while also ensuring the ongoing implementation of strategic goals.
Kathleen was awarded three degrees from Marquette University: BA (Political Science), Masters (Dispute Resolution) and Juris Doctor. She also was awarded a Masters of Arts in Teaching (History) from the University of Chicago. Following law school, Kathleen had the pleasure of serving as law clerk to the Honorable Janine P. Geske (Ret.) at the Wisconsin Supreme Court.
Kathleen has been actively involved in NACUA for almost 20 years. She served on the Association’s Board of Directors during 2005-2008, as the Chair of the Committee on Membership and Member Services, and the Vice Chair of the Committee on Legal Education, in addition to speaking at nearly 40 NACUA events and authoring two NACUANOTES. Kathleen has served NACUA with grace and tireless commitment.
NACUA is pleased to recognize Kathleen A. Rinehart as a recipient of the Distinguished Service Award for her outstanding and exemplary service to the Association.