Stephen Pridgen

Dr. Stephen Pridgen is an Assistant Professor of Sociology at Concord University, affiliated with the Department of Social Work and Sociology within the College of Professional and Liberal Studies. He has been with the university since 2018 and serves as Co-Chair of the Concord University Human Subject Review Board (HSRB). His academic background includes a Ph.D., M.A., and B.A. from the University of Florida (2019, 2013, 2011).

Dr. Pridgen’s research focuses on Identity Formation, Effective Communication/Education, the Development of Wisdom, and Class/Racial Stratification, complemented by expertise in quantitative methods, statistical analysis, and research design. He teaches courses such as Introduction to Sociology, Social Problems, Sociology of Law, and Research Methods at the Athens campus. In 2020, he received the prestigious Joseph Friedl Award for teaching excellence from the Concord University Student Government Association.

His published work explores intersections of wisdom, personality, aging, and social structures. Recent articles address topics like wisdom-personality correlations and industrialization’s impact on family dynamics. He actively contributes to interdisciplinary dialogues in sociology and psychology. Dr. Pridgen’s commitment to both research and pedagogy underscores his role as an engaged academic leader at Concord University.