Candalyn Rade

Dr. Candalyn Rade is an Associate Professor of Psychology at Meredith College, specializing in applied social and community psychology with a focus on criminal justice reentry issues. Her work emphasizes interdisciplinary collaboration to address systemic barriers faced by formerly incarcerated individuals and their communities, particularly regarding employment access and mental health support.

Dr. Rade holds a Ph.D. in Psychology from North Carolina State University (2017), an M.S. in Psychology (2014), and a B.S. in Psychology (2010) from Taylor University. Her research integrates insights from community psychology, social psychology, and criminal justice to develop practical solutions for reducing stigma and improving reintegration outcomes.

Her recent work examines employment challenges post-incarceration, mental health court effectiveness, and pandemic impacts on service provision. Over 20 peer-reviewed articles showcase her contributions to understanding public attitudes toward ex-offenders, policy interventions, and stigma mitigation strategies.

Rade teaches courses emphasizing research methods and applied psychology, bridging academic rigor with real-world community engagement. She collaborates with organizations providing direct service to justice-involved populations, ensuring her scholarship directly informs policy and practice.