Focus and Flourish: At UNC, a new character education initiative is helping students master the virtues of attention - College of Arts and Sciences

July 2, 2026 - 01:31

At the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, a new character education initiative is tackling one of the biggest challenges of modern student life: the constant pull of distraction. Called Educating for the Virtues of Attention, or EVA, the program is designed to help students reflect on their current habits and build more intentional ways of focusing.

The initiative is rooted in the idea that attention is not just a skill but a virtue that can be cultivated. Instead of fighting technology with more rules, EVA offers students opportunities for deep, in-person engagement across campus. Through workshops, discussion groups, and structured activities, participants learn to slow down and resist the urge to multitask. The goal is to replace fragmented attention with a more disciplined and purposeful focus.

Organizers believe that mastering attention is essential for both academic success and personal well-being. In a world full of notifications and endless scrolling, the ability to concentrate deeply has become a rare and valuable asset. By creating spaces for genuine connection and reflection, UNC hopes to give students the tools they need to flourish in their studies and beyond. The program is still new, but early feedback suggests that students are hungry for ways to reclaim their focus.