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About the Academy

The NJCTS Tim Howard Leadership Academy is a four-day program that takes place in dormitories on Busch Campus at Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey in Piscataway. Participants work, play, eat and sleep at Rutgers and enjoy a wide range of activities, including:

  • Interacting with doctors, psychologists, and other experts in the field to learn more about Tourette Syndrome!
  • Being a part of large and small group discussions with other teens and young adults with TS. You’ll hear their stories and have opportunities to share your own!
  • Participating in a variety of recreational activities.
  • Create a project that can be used in your own advocacy efforts and be used to help advocate for others.
  • Forming friendships and connections with other participants, and meeting successful young adults who will serve as Coaches, guiding participants through the weekend’s events!


The Four Pillars of the Academy:

  • Self-Leadership: the ability to know your own strengths, weaknesses, and what you need in order to be your best self.
  • Self-Advocacy: the ability to recognize what you need, and then ADVOCATE for it in order to thrive.
  • Resilience: the idea that you can face adversity, obstacles, and difficulties, but remain positive and overcome them to emerge stronger.
  • Grit: your ability to “stay the course,” to maintain your determination and motivation despite failing or coming up against obstacles.

Over the course of the Academy, groups work on various projects incorporating what they’ve learned at the Academy with their own experiences and passions.

Here are a few examples of past group projects:

Click to learn more about this life changing program.