We run it like a family.” – Betsy McGill, Director of Disability Resources and Build
▲
From left to right: Hayden Lake ’26 (Sport Management), Kody Huston ’28 (Psychology, Pre-OT), and Betsy McGill.
Nordhoff has watched her daughter blossom into a Build mentor, helping guide younger students through tutoring and social skills lessons, something Nordhoff wouldn’t have expected when her daughter entered college. “Initially, she was very shy and a bit socially awkward,” explained Nordhoff. “Now she’s really opened up. Build has given her self-confidence, reassurance, and other students to talk with, and it’s really helped her.” And since McGill’s intervention three years ago, Lake has thrived in his studies and graduated with his bachelor’s in May. “I was a completely different person when I started college than I am today,” said Lake. “Being a part of Build means all the world to me.” That kind of transformation is exactly what McGill envisioned. Not just helping students succeed in the classroom, but equipping them with the skills, confidence, and independence to thrive long after graduation. For many students and their parents, Build is more than a program—it’s a family.
There are lots of fun and games in this family, too. One of the annual highlights is Jeopardy! night, where Build students face off against staff—and students have won the past three tournaments in a row! Another beloved tradition is a tailgate at UIndy Homecoming, started by the Nordhoffs. It is easily one of the most attended tailgates in the Key Stadium lot and even won ‘Best Tailgate’ in 2025. “We had over 120 people at the first tailgate,” said Nordhoff. “We invited all the Build parents, some of whom traveled from other states. It’s almost like a support group. The kids have one another in college, but it’s nice to know you’ve got other parents out there that have been through some of the same challenges.” But success can perhaps best be measured in the long-term impact on each Greyhound and their increased ability to thrive after graduation. Sternberg has seen his son, Carter, go from not being social to establishing a brand-new student organization on campus, the Blossoming of Friends club, which is still active today. “He is very social now, and he grew so much,” Sternberg said. “Maybe that would have happened anyway, but I don’t think it would have happened to that degree without Build.”
19
MAGAZINE // SUMMER 2026
Made with FlippingBook flipbook maker