Karson Pennington Ray

Karson Pennington Ray is a Lecturer in the Department of Political Science at the University of Georgia, affiliated with the School of Public and International Affairs (SPIA). Her research focuses on judicial politics, constitutional law, criminal justice studies, and civic engagement initiatives. Karson earned her Ph.D. from the University of Georgia, with a dissertation examining technology usage in federal district courts during and after the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly in criminal cases.

• Education: Ph.D. in Political Science, University of Georgia

Karson combines her passion for education and early literacy with efforts to enhance civic engagement. She gained public recognition in 2021 by representing the University of Georgia as Miss UGA and later Miss Georgia, advocating for equal education for all. Her professional interests align with technology's evolving role in legal systems and public administration.

• Awards: Miss UGA 2021, Miss Georgia 2021

Karson resides in Norcross, Georgia, and enjoys reading and spending time with her husband and three cats. She holds office hours on Tuesdays from 1:00-2:00 PM in 305A Baldwin Hall.