Academic CV

Education

2020 - 2025
University of Prince Edward Island

BSc in Psychology (Honours)

Completed a 4.0 GPA Honours degree with a thesis exploring student perceptions of generative AI feedback vs. peer feedback in higher education.

Professional Experience

2025 – Present
Stemble Learning Inc.

Instructional Designer

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2024 - Present
Mattie Stepanek Peace Foundation

Director

Contributing to international outreach, managing digital communications, and supporting peace education programming. Represented the Foundation abroad, developed web infrastructure, and advanced youth-focused peacebuilding grounded in compassion, hope, and accessibility.

2024 - 2025
Stemble Learning Inc.

Psychology Subject Matter Expert

Designing digital assessments, feedback content, and AI-powered learning tools for postsecondary psychology courses. Contributed to platform development and curriculum alignment for scalable, student-centered educational innovation in higher education.

2022 - 2025
UPEI, Department of Student Affairs

Campus Life Program Lead

Led the design and delivery of inclusive events and community-building initiatives. Supervised student staff, advertised programming, supported peer mentoring, and fostered campus engagement through program coordination and student support services.

Teaching Experience

2024 - 2025
UPEI, Department of Psychology

Part-Time Teaching Assistant

Assisted with PSY-1010/1020 (Intro to Psychology I & II) and PSY-2420 (Social Psychology) for Dr. Stacey MacKinnon, and PSY-3330 (Ecopsychology) for Professor Corrine Hendricken-Eldershaw. Supported grading, course delivery, and mentored undergraduate students in both introductory and upper-year courses by offering academic guidance, feedback, and one-on-one support.

Research Experience

2025 - Present
UPEI, Department of Psychology

Full-Time Research Assistant

Conducting research with Dr. Chris Powers and Dr. Stacey MacKinnon on inquiry-based learning and subjective ownership in human–AI collaboration, funded by an NSERC USRA.

2024 - Present
UPEI, Department of Psychology

Volunteer Research Assistant

Conducting participant interviews, studying dream recall and meaning in older adults, and managing digital infrastructure for Dr. Jessica Strong's Age Strong clinical research lab.

2024 - Present
UPEI, Department of Psychology

Part-Time Research Assistant

Assisted Dr. Stacey MacKinnon with qualitative interviews, lab operations, and research on educational feedback and student learning experiences.

2024
UPEI, Department of Psychology

Full-Time Research Assistant

Supported youth engagement and cross-cultural education projects with Dr. Stacey MacKinnon, funded by a SkillsPEI Summer Student Hiring Grant.

Volunteering, Advocacy, & Leadership

2018 - Present
Spotify

Spotify Star (Brand Ambassador)

Contributing to international outreach, managing digital communications, and supporting peace education programming. Represented the Foundation abroad, developed web infrastructure, and advanced youth-focused peacebuilding grounded in compassion, hope, and accessibility.

2021 - 2025
UPEI, Student Affairs

Campus Life Advisor

Provided peer mentorship, led student programming, and supported campus engagement. Promoted belonging and well-being through event planning, community outreach, and one-on-one support for incoming and returning university students.

2022 - 2023
UPEI, Department of Student Affairs

New Student Orientation Point Person

Planned and delivered orientation programming, coordinated volunteer leaders, and supported new students in building community during their transition to university life.

2021
UPEI, Department of Student Affairs

New Student Orientation Leader

Guided new students through orientation events, promoted campus resources, and helped foster an inclusive, welcoming environment during their first week at UPEI.

Conference Presentations & Invited Talks

May, 2025
Science Atlantic Psychology Conference, St. Thomas University

The Feedback Equation: Peer Collaboration, AI Innovation, and the Future of Learning in Higher Education

Oral presentation of honours thesis examining student perceptions of generative AI versus peer feedback in higher education learning environments.

April, 2024
Spotify

Burnout, Hustle Culture, and the Psychology of Overwork

Invited talk for Spotify staff and ambassadors, presenting research on the psychological impacts of hustle culture and discussing resilience-informed approaches to mental health.

August, 2023
Spotify

Building Trust & Connection Through Team Dynamics

Facilitated a follow-up workshop exploring advanced team-building strategies to strengthen collaboration, deepen interpersonal connection, and support inclusive team culture.

August, 2022
Spotify

Establishing Trust in Team Environments

Led a team-based workshop focused on fostering open communication, psychological trust, and inclusive collaboration among Spotify team members.

Areas of Research Interest

  • Investigating the intersection of educational technology, student engagement, and generative AI to support learning, motivation, and feedback in post-secondary contexts

  • Exploring the mental health impacts of generative AI tools, including how they shape help-seeking behaviours, access to resources, and user empowerment

  • Examining how 2SLGBTQIA+ identity, romantic relationships, and social context influence mental health and well-being

  • Understanding the psychological transitions of early young adulthood, with a focus on identity development, belonging, and resilience

  • Studying the lived experience, systemic framing, and treatment of anxiety, trauma, and eating disorders

Publications (* Peer Reviewed)

Striker, N. T. & MacKinnon, S.L. (In preparation). Reigniting YOUR Curiosity & Inquiry: A Realistic Guide for Shifting from Student to Learner. Funded by UPEI Open Education Resource Development Grant.

*MacKinnon, S.L., Dickieson, B., Drew, R. & Striker, N. T. (In preparation). Keeping the human in generative AI: The importance of critical inquiry skills in the age of artificial intelligence. Funded by the UPEI Internal Gen AI and Assessment Innovations Research Grant.

*Striker, N. T., MacKinnon, S.L., & Pearson, J. (In preparation). Using GenAI as a tool for individual, research-based feedback for large introductory psychology classes.

Skills & Focus Areas

  • Qualitative Research
  • Public Speaking
  • Educational Technology
  • Inquiry-Based Learning
  • Generative AI
  • Communication
  • Community Engagement
  • Mental Health Advocacy
  • Program Development
  • Academic Writing
  • Research Coordination

Certifications

Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training

Canadian Mental Health Association
July, 2025

Intermediate First Aid, CPR-C

St. John Ambulance
July, 2025

Mental Health First Aid

St. John Ambulance
November, 2024

Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) Certified Rater

MoCA Cognition
April, 2025

Peace Certification

Mattie Stepanek Peace Foundation
May, 2023

Memberships

Canadian Psychological Association

Ottawa, ON
2024 - Present

Awards & Scholarships

  • 2025Undergraduate Student Research Award, Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada
  • 2021 - 2024Academic Excellence Award, University of Prince Edward Island
  • 2022Most Dedicated New Student Orientation Point Person, University of Prince Edward Island
  • 2020 - 2021Admission Scholarship, University of Prince Edward Island
  • 2020 - 2021Joseph Daly Leaders of Tomorrow Scholarship, University of Prince Edward Island
  • 2021Most Dedicated New Student Orientation Leader, University of Prince Edward Island
  • 2021Honourary Point Person Award, University of Prince Edward Island
  • 2020Lieutenant Governor’s Community Volunteer Award, Lieutenant Governor of Ontario
  • 2020Hope for Learning Foundation Award, Kiwanis Club of Barrie
  • 2020David White Award, St. Peter’s Secondary School
  • 2020School Mission Statement Award, DGN Kilters
  • 2020Leadership Award, St. Peter’s Secondary School
  • 2020St. Peter’s Award, St. Peter’s Secondary School Community Council