By Townhall Chicago News Staff
Saint Xavier University on Chicago’s South Side announced Thursday it appointed two alumni to its Board of Trustees, adding legal and financial expertise to the body that guides the institution’s leadership and financial sustainability.
Michelle Tourtillott, a 2012 graduate, and Jose Garcia, a 1991 graduate, join the board as the private Catholic university navigates the competitive landscape of higher education in the region, according to a university news release.
Tourtillott earned her bachelor’s degree in political science with a minor in Spanish at Saint Xavier, where she was also a member of the women’s basketball team. She went on to earn her law degree from Indiana University Robert H. McKinney School of Law.
Her early legal career included work with Barack Ferrazzano Kirschbaum & Nagelberg LLP, the NCAA Office of Legal Affairs, USA Football and the Indiana Gaming Commission, according to the release. She is now a partner at Neal & McDevitt LLC, where she practices intellectual property law.
Tourtillott has maintained ties to the university, providing recurring support to the women’s basketball program and serving in alumni leadership roles. In 2026, she assumed the role of president of the SXU National Alumni Board.
Garcia graduated from the university’s accounting program and built a career in financial services. He currently serves as president and CEO of Northwest Community Credit Union, where he has expanded access to financial services and advanced support for diverse communities, according to the release.
Garcia became CEO of Caballeros De San Juan Credit Union at age 29 and has held senior financial leadership roles across several institutions. At Saint Xavier, Northwest Community Credit Union operates a student-run branch in the Graham School of Management that provides students with hands-on experience in financial literacy, marketing, social media and operations.
Garcia also serves on the Graham School of Management Business Advisory Council, the President’s Advisory Board and the Golf Classic Committee. He previously served on the SXU National Alumni Board of Directors.
The Board of Trustees guides Saint Xavier’s shared leadership vision to ensure a financially sustainable institution that prepares students for careers, according to the release.
“SXU President Keith Elder, Ph.D., Saint Xavier leadership, and the Board of Trustees look forward to collaborating with Tourtillott and Garcia on their work in ensuring Saint Xavier University will be the thriving Catholic, Mercy university on Chicago’s South Side,” the release said.
Saint Xavier was founded in 1846 by the Sisters of Mercy and is located at 3700 W. 103rd St. The university was voted the No. 1 Best College/University in the Southland’s Best 2026 awards earlier this month, according to the university’s news page.
The board is chaired by Tasha Henderson, chief financial officer and chief operating officer of MJE Loop Capital Partners LLC. SXU President Elder serves as an ex-officio member.
