English's Walt Hunter explains how he challenges students to read more

The attention span myth: Why Gen Z reads more than anyone thinks

The Teen Magazine: Walt Hunter, professor of English and senior associate dean for faculty academic affairs at the College of Arts and Sciences, said he pushes students to read challenging novels by assigning 32 books and requiring in-class “flash essays” with no notes or AI. Hunter said the result is clear: “The students were reading… everything, or most of it,” he said, suggesting Gen Z doesn’t lack focus—it needs structure and permission to unplug.