"We really wanted to create a building that people could thrive in." These are the words of the Contemplative Commons’ principle architect Kent Chiang in Channel 29’s story on the uniqueness of one of UVA’s newest buildings that provides a peaceful sanctuary for students, faculty, and community members.
The Operations Coordinator supports the daily operations and overall functionality of the Contemplative Commons. This role oversees student Operations Assistants, ensures the facility is maintained to a high standard, provides on-the-ground support for programs, classes, and events, and secures the building at the end of each day. The Operations Coordinator works closely with staff, faculty, and event organizers to ensure smooth and efficient use of space and resources.
Event Coordinators assist with a variety of event activities, including processing facility reservation requests, supporting client accounts, maintaining vendor relationships, and helping to plan and execute events. They gather cost information and make recommendations to clients. Event Coordinators compile event material, run usage reports, process billing, and update the event calendar, as necessary. They coordinate details and event logistics and adhere to a budget.
Rolling Stone published an article by Contemplative Sciences Center student intern, Jack Korngold who is currently attending high school in New York City.
The Contemplative Science Center's Michael Sheehy discusses ways to guard our attention. “Let’s remember our attention is a precious human resource. If we treat our attention as something we need to guard, to protect, and we direct it toward what we want to pay attention to, that resource is strengthened and becomes more abundant,” Sheehy said.
The Elements of Peace Summer Program offered youth (ages 11-15) an immersion retreat rooted in mindfulness, creative expression, and deep connection with nature. Campers expressed how the retreat gave them a sense of belonging and deepened self-awareness.
The CSC research team seeks adults aged 18-70 to participate in a study exploring contemplative experiences in Virtual Reality (VR), sleep health, and cognitive flexibility
In a partnership between UVA's Contemplative Sciences Center (CSC) and CARELab, a conscious AI leadership program, UVA students, interns, and community youth worked together on solutions to local community challenges. CSC facilitated mindfulness integration into the values-centered program.
The Society for College and University Planning (SCUP) recognized the University of Virginia's Contemplative Commons with a 2025 Design Excellence Award.
As expected, we are experiencing a high volume of requests for space at the Contemplative Commons. Currently, we are not accepting reservations as our team finalizes guidelines and procedures for processing requests.
The CSC research team seeks adults aged 18–24 to participate in a study exploring the link between environments and meditation to understand how different environments affect meditation.
Nearly 10,000 fans packed John Paul Jones Arena on Saturday night for a star-studded benefit concert featuring the Zac Brown Band and Maggie Rogers, celebrating the dedication of the University of Virginia’s Contemplative Sciences Center.
Over the weekend, many celebratory events featured a variety of creative activities, ending with a benefit concert featuring Maggie Rogers and Zac Brown Band.
Since the beginning of the spring semester, students and community members have gathered on Friday afternoons to enjoy a sound bath followed by a yoga or tai chi session to shake off the week’s stress.
The Cavalier Daily ran an editorial piece, “Celebrate the Contemplative Commons and other non-academic student spaces”, highlighting the recently completed Contemplative Commons building. With its peaceful aesthetic combined with its holistic programming, the Commons serves as a sanctuary for students, as well as bridging different areas of the University both geographically and academically.
LearningWell Magazine featured the Contemplative Commons: "The new 57,000-square-foot Commons is home to the Contemplative Sciences Center—and a new way to promote flourishing in higher education."
CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA - The University of Virginia (UVA) announced today that GRAMMY® Award-winning Southern rock group Zac Brown Band will perform a benefit concert to celebrate UVA’s Contemplative Sciences Center at John Paul Jones Arena in Charlottesville on Saturday, April 5, 2025. Special guest, multi-platinum, GRAMMY® nominated artist Maggie Rogers and comedian Joe Zimmerman will also perform.
At year's end, the Contemplative Sciences Center celebrates a year of new partnerships, new opportunities, and a new chapter. Find out more in the latest edition of the newsletter.
CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA - The University of Virginia announced today the selection of Kelly Crace as executive director of UVA’s Contemplative Sciences Center. Crace will officially begin his new post on January 8, 2025.
The Compassionate Schools Project (CSP) curriculum, Flourish, a collaboration between the Contemplative Sciences Center, the UVA School of Education and Human Development, Kentucky's Jefferson County Public Schools show elementary school students, particularly those from high-poverty areas, can benefit from the Compassionate Schools Project's Flourish curriculum.
