Twins Embrace AU Community, Discover Their ‘Superpowers’
Hometown
Oak Forest, Illinois
Degrees
Cassie Greenhill: Disabilities Studies, BA
Rachel Greenhill: Marketing, BS
When twins Cassie Greenhill ’21 and Rachel Greenhill ’21 decided to attend Aurora University together, they agreed to rely on each other while also finding their individual paths. The twins had deep conversations about the passions they developed and the challenges they faced as college students on the autism spectrum.
As AU expands its support of a neurodiverse college population, the experiences of the Greenhills and other students on the autism spectrum have helped inform the development of AU’s new Pathways program. Pathways is designed to help students on the autism spectrum earn a college degree and launch their career. AU will welcome the first class of college freshmen and transfer students into the program in the fall of 2022.
“Aurora University was the perfect setting for Rachel and Cassie,” said Sharon McCombs, mother to the Greenhill twins. “The size and distance from home matched their needs, and the smaller classrooms were conducive to their learning style. AU exceeded my expectations as a parent. With the addition of the Pathways program, I am certain other students like Rachel and Cassie will find the comfort and support to be able to call AU home.”
My ‘Secret Superpower’
Cassie: I have been passionate about people with disabilities since my freshman year of high school. My love for people with disabilities stems from the fact that my sister and I are on the autism spectrum.
The summer after my sophomore year, I had an internship at a summer camp for people with disabilities and met an adult camper who changed my career path. I had initially planned on going into special education but realized that there was a great need to help adults with disabilities.
I guess you can say that my “secret superpower” is that I can see things about people with disabilities that a neurotypical person probably wouldn’t — like if something is bothering them, or an attitude change if they’re nonverbal.
I want to help other students like me, so for my senior project I wrote “A Guide to Aurora University for a Different Mind,” which I based on interviews with current and former students.
Rachel: When I was in middle school, I had a terrible scratching problem, which is common for people with autism spectrum disorder. I would constantly scratch my legs, causing them to bleed and scar. But then I developed a hobby for knitting, and it helped me break that habit. Instead of scratching, I knitted and crocheted, and it turned into not only good therapy, but good business.
By high school, I opened my own shop on Etsy called RachelsKnitShop18, where I began selling my work and my patterns. It’s been operating for more than a decade now. I crochet bears, elephants, giraffes, dogs, bumblebees, penguins, horror movie characters, video game icons, and my favorite TV actors. During the pandemic I crocheted a series of first responders — a fire chief, a nurse, and a police officer. And as a farewell gift to AU, I crocheted a Sammy Spartan mascot and Tango (AU President Rebecca Sherrick’s wheaten terrier).
I guess one of my “secret superpowers” is that I’ve been able to turn a problem into a great opportunity. What started out as a therapy for scratching has become a successful business. I’ve gained a following, including from such celebrities as “Gravity Falls” creator Alex Hirsch and “Chicago Fire” actor David Eigenberg, whom I’ve met several times. It’s just opened doors for me that I never could have imagined.
I also have the ability to go over anything with a fine-tooth comb and catch errors, which helped me in my job at Phillips Library reviewing records.
Being Part of Something Bigger
Cassie: I was an active member of AU’s choir. I also organized a campus Christmas card drive for disabled adults at Lutheran Social Services of Illinois.
Rachel: I really enjoyed serving on the AU Activities Planning Board because I felt like I was a part of something bigger than myself. I also taught members of the Latin American Student Organization how to crochet.
What’s Next
Cassie: I am working as a paraprofessional at Carl Sandburg High School in Orland Park. I love my job!
Rachel: I’m expanding my knitting and crocheting business.