Supervising Zillenneals: The Changing CSD Student

Student clinicians from Generation Z are now enrolling in Communication Sciences and Disorders (CSD) programs. This generation’s unique learning and communication needs require speech-language pathologists (SLPs) to adjust their approach to clinical instruction. To better understand clinical instructors’ perceptions of Generation Z students and their supervisory style in CSD, a 13-item survey was piloted and subsequently distributed to clinical instructors in the United States using Qualtrics. Survey questions were developed by three SLPs with experience providing clinical instruction in academic settings, one of whom also serves as clinic director. Open- and closed-ended (multiple choice) question formats were incorporated. A total of 191 SLPs from 34 different states and three different generations responded to the survey. Quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and qualitative data underwent thematic analysis by all three researchers. Findings were used to propose revisions to Anderson’s Supervision Continuum for future testing. Presenters will discuss generational differences in communication and learning, highlight needs of Generation Z as perceived by clinical instructors, and suggest practical strategies for clinical instruction of Generation Z students in CSD.