UPEI’s Dr. Stacey MacKinnon named a 3M National Teaching Fellow
Dr. Stacey MacKinnon, associate professor of psychology at UPEI, has been named a 2025 3M National Teaching Fellow by the Society for Teaching and Learning in Higher Education (STLHE) and 3M Canada.
The 3M National Teaching Fellowship is sponsored by both 3M Canada and the Society for Teaching and Learning in Higher Education (STLHE). Founded in 1986, the Fellowship honours exceptional contributions to teaching and learning at the post-secondary level.
Each year, STLHE and 3M Canada reward exceptional teaching and learning at Canadian universities by selecting 10 teaching fellows who show leadership in enhancing post-secondary education and a sustained dedication to undergraduate education. Dr. MacKinnon was nominated for the prestigious award by Dr. Shannon Murray, Professor, Department of English, and Dr. Philip Smith, Professor, Department of Psychology, in the Faculty of Arts.
In their nomination letter, Dr. Murray and Dr. Smith, who are both 3M National Teaching Fellows, said the work that Dr. MacKinnon is doing, with her students and with colleagues across the country, aims in a very practical way to reignite the flame of curiosity that is so essential, both for learning in university and for living lives that are open to new ideas.
“Curiosity is at the heart of Dr. Stacey MacKinnon’s leadership, her inventive and collaborative teaching, and her innovative course design and course strategies. She wrote the book on curiosity—literally—and her work has already had a profound effect on teaching at UPEI and beyond, through her classes, her workshops and publications, and her reach into the community. We are so pleased that her teaching and leadership are being recognized with this highest of national honours for university teachers.”
Dr. MacKinnon said she is honoured to be named a 3M Teaching Fellow. In her first month at UPEI in 2004, she attended the Faculty Development Summer Institute taught in part by her nominators. It was there that she realized how much more teaching could be and the importance of always striving to find more effective and engaging ways to facilitate students’ learning.
“That experience made me a life-long learner and experimenter regarding teaching and has made the past 20 years in the classroom both challenging and joyful. I am excited to see where the 3M experience takes me in the coming decade,” said MacKinnon.
Dr. MacKinnon is the tenth faculty member at UPEI to be named a 3M National Teaching Fellow. In addition to Drs. MacKinnon, Murray and Smith, 3M National Teaching Fellows at UPEI include Dr. Brent MacLaine, Department of English, Faculty of Arts; Dr. Brian Wagner, Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science; Dr. Etienne Côté, Professor of Cardiology, Department of Companion Animals, Atlantic Veterinary College; Dr. Fiona Walton, Faculty of Education; Dr. Sue Dawson, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine; Dr. Ann Braithwaite, Department of Diversity and Social Justice Studies, Faculty of Arts; and Dr. Libby Osgood, Faculty of Sustainable Design Engineering.
“I offer my heartfelt congratulations to Dr. MacKinnon on receiving this prestigious honour,” said Dr. Wendy Rodgers, UPEI President and Vice-Chancellor. “This recognition is a testament to her exceptional commitment to the enhancement of teaching and learning. Dr. MacKinnon, along with our other distinguished 3M Teaching Fellows, represents the high calibre of faculty at UPEI and contributes significantly to the University’s reputation for academic excellence.”
Congratulations, Dr. MacKinnon, from the entire UPEI community!
