If you are a teacher educator Work to include young people's literature as a mandatory requirement for teacher certification in both your own institution's curriculum and your own state's requirements. Many college students do not read themselves, outside of classroom assignments. They do not read books. They do not read newspapers. They do not go to the library unless they have an assignment need.
Young people can smell a phony a mile away.
If teachers expect their students to become readers, they must set an example themselves. Emphasize that reading and writing go hand in hand. Students will not become writers if they are not readers. Writing can give a new level of appreciation and understanding to the reading process and build enthusiasm and love of the printed word. Raise literacy awareness with your secondary education students of all disciplines.