Tennille Drayton Snodgrass, '98, Turns Huskie Pride into Action
By Lia Kizilbash Gillet

Tennille Drayton Snodgrass, '98, is an active Black Alumni Council volunteer. (Photo: Tennille Drayton Snodgrass)

“Get involved. Give back what you received.”

For Tennille Drayton Snodgrass, ’98, those words are more than advice — they are a way of life, guided by a quote she carries with her daily:

“Be the person you needed when you were younger.”
                                                                     – Ayesha Siddiqi

A proud Huskie and dedicated volunteer, Snodgrass brings that mindset to everything she does, turning gratitude into action and Huskie Pride into lasting impact.

Snodgrass first connected with NIU when she attended a Homecoming football game during her senior year of high school. 

“I instantly fell in love and knew this was where I wanted to go,” she said, despite having applied to other universities. 

NIU quickly became a family affair. Snodgrass shared her college experience with her older sister, who was also her roommate. Both of her sisters graduated from NIU, and both of her sons are Huskies — one attended, and one is set to graduate in 2027.

At NIU, Snodgrass pursued a bachelor’s degree in textiles, apparel and merchandising with a marketing minor, inspired by her lifelong love of fashion.

“I view fashion as art,” she said.

Her time at NIU was rich with involvement — from joining Pi Sigma Epsilon to working in the Study Abroad Office — and she built lasting friendships she still cherishes today. 

“My student experience at NIU was incredible,” Snodgrass said. “I was accepted through the CHANCE Program, and to this day, I am beyond grateful. The things I learned as an undergrad were priceless. They carry over in life, and it all pays off.”

That experience, coupled with her professional journey, fuels her passion to give back.

As assistant director of business services for Elementary School District 159 in Matteson, Illinois — where she has been for ten years — Snodgrass understands the educational landscape from multiple perspectives: student, parent and administrator.

“I hope to contribute my expertise to support African American students at NIU from an academic, social and cultural standpoint,” Snodgrass said. “Outside of that, I want to help future Huskies prepare for the real world while understanding the impact of volunteering.”

Service has always been part of Snodgrass’ life. Introduced to community engagement by her mother at a young age, she grew up volunteering through church, festivals and community events. Today, she continues that legacy through her volunteer work with NIU.

She serves on the Homecoming committee for the Black Alumni Council and is entering her third year. The committee plans a full weekend of programming for Black alumni, working closely with campus partners to coordinate everything from sponsorships and budgeting to event planning and marketing. The work also creates opportunities to engage with current students through programming, networking and visibility during Homecoming weekend. 

Her professional experience informs her approach. 

“I understand the challenges as an African American professional and a woman,” she said. “Bringing my knowledge and experience to my volunteer roles ensures that students at NIU have advocates and demonstrates that their voices matter.”

She also remains committed to NIU students through her membership in Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated, where she supports students through her graduate chapter. 

Prior to working in education, Snodgrass built a career in buying and merchandising with companies including Sears Holdings and Macy’s. She also served as a youth director for New Faith Baptist Church. She earned an M.B.A. from Keller Graduate School of Management and is pursuing both a Chief School Business Official (CSBO) licensure from NIU and a Ph.D. in leadership and higher education from Concordia University Chicago.

“Whether it’s in your career, service or personal life, follow your passion and be okay with the journey that leads you there,” she said.

Stay up-to-date with the Black Alumni Council on their on their Facebook page.
Interested in other ways to get involved? Contact Assistant Director of Volunteer Engagement Taylor Curry, M.P.A. '25, at tcurry4@niu.edu.