Center for Talent Development (CTD) at Northwestern University

Every student has potential—but potential needs opportunity. Advanced and talented students thrive when their curiosity is encouraged, and their strengths are nurtured. Without diverse learning opportunities, those strengths can remain hidden over time—something we all miss out on.

At CTD, our instructors delight in recognizing curiosity and guiding students as they explore interests and develop strengths ahead of important college and career decisions.
Programs like our CTD Summer Programs for grades 6–12 open doors, spark confidence, and inspire what’s next.

Feedback matters—especially for students who already perform well. CTD instructors provide personalized feedback that deepens learning. Seeing feedback as valuable and being able to integrate it is key to success across domains.

Meaningful challenge helps advanced learners grow through building the skills needed to work through setbacks. CTD intentionally designs learning that stretches thinking while providing the support students need to thrive.

Last call to apply for the Jack Kent Cooke Scholarship for high-achieving students in grade 7! Perseverance makes a difference and that includes finishing your scholarship application submissions by April 29!

Interests don’t become expertise overnight. CTD helps students build expertise over time by revisiting interests with greater challenge, guidance, and purpose.

Thanks to Belin-Blank Center at the University of Iowa for helping us spread the word on the JKC scholarship which closes this month, April 29th. It's not too late to submit your application!

Northwestern University Center for Talent Development (CTD) at Northwestern University helps families apply for the competitive Jack Kent Cooke Young Scholars Program.

The Young Scholars Program, a selective five-year pre-college scholarship for high-achieving middle school students with financial need, is the largest scholarship of its kind in the nation.

It provides individualized academic advising, financial support, and a pathway to the foundation’s $55,000 per year College Scholarship. The Jack Kent Cooke Foundation assigns each Young Scholar an on-staff educational adviser who works closely with the student and their family to guide them and oversee the educational opportunities the Cooke Foundation provides throughout high school.

The application period is open from February 5, 2026-April 29, 2026. Visit the Cooke Foundation’s Young Scholars page for information on opportunities for students CURRENTLY in 7th grade.

You can register for application workshops by visiting the link in our Stories!

Research on adolescent development highlights the powerful role of civic education and service learning in fostering students’ prosocial behaviors—empathy, responsibility, collaboration, and purpose.

At CTD, we translate this research into authentic leadership experiences for advanced learners. Through our service-learning and leadership programs, students don’t just study complex issues—they engage with them, applying critical thinking and ethical reasoning to make meaningful contributions beyond the classroom.

What helps students thrive, not stall in their learning? Support commensurate with the challenge. CTD’s Talent Development Megamodel explains how environment, feedback, and challenge guide long-term growth. Learning readiness, aptitudes, and interest meet appropriate challenge and support in our Weekend, Summer, and Online courses all year round.

We are proud to work with so many talented and passionate gifted educators. We love seeing this initiative from NAGC. Share below about teachers who had a lasting and positive impact on your education.

Gifted educators change lives, often without recognition.

This Teacher Appreciation Month, we are launching a nationwide campaign to honor the educators who spark curiosity, nurture potential, and advocate for gifted and advanced learners every day.

Throughout the month of May, we’ll be sharing and celebrating these stories publicly, helping shine a light on the incredible impact gifted educators have in the lives of students.

💬 Submit a message to recognize an educator who has made an impact
✨ All honorees will be celebrated publicly

If you’re able, you can also make a gift in their honor to support NAGC’s work expanding opportunity, access, and excellence in gifted education. Suggested amounts like $5, $10, or $25—every gift makes a difference.

🔗 Submit your message to have them spotlighted in May! https://www.nagc.org/teacher-appreciation-month

Build a vision for the future! CTD’s Pathways Approach supports students from early curiosity through deep expertise by identifying talents, developing competencies, and cultivating a love of learning. CTD partners with experts in a wide range of fields to help students prepare for the future. This summer, in partnership with Windy City Labs, CTD offers students the chance to explore engineering and technology topics on Northwestern's beautiful Evanston campus.

Sustained talent development practices lead to stronger academic and career outcomes. CTD’s Pathways approach connects strengths to future opportunities without narrowing options too early. Read more in this blog post on pathways and navigating long-term career stability featuring our Associate Director Denise Mytko.

https://www.ctd.northwestern.edu/blog/talent-focus-has-steadily-growing-impact-employment-prospects

April 7th - Join Tammie Stewart, Manager of Community Outreach at CTD for a Webinar on the Application Process for the Jack Kent Cooke Young Scholars program. Don't wait! The application deadline is April 29.