Karson Pennington Ray

B.A. in Political Science, University of Georgia (2020)

B.A. in History, University of Georgia (2020)

M.A. in Political Science & International Affairs, University of Georgia (2020)

Karson Pennington Ray is a Ph.D. candidate studying Political Science at the University of Georgia. Karson is interested in judicial politics, constitutional law, and criminal justice studies. At the University of Georgia, Karson has served as an instructor of record since 2023 for POLS 4760: Supreme Court Politics, POLS 1101: Introduction to American Government, POLS 4780: Special Topics in Law (Judicial Politics), and POLS 3600: Criminal Justice Administration. In May of 2023, Karson had the opportunity to travel to Italy to teach on a study abroad program, SPIA a Firenze. Currently, she is working on her dissertation, which explores technology usage in the federal district courts before, during, and after COVID-19, specifically in criminal cases. Karson’s dissertation will also include a chapter on legal adversarialism, which posits that technology is a legal resource which offers advantages to some, as well as a chapter on teaching simulations in the political science classroom.

Throughout her academic career, Karson has worked part-time at a nonprofit orgniazation, Reach Out and Read Georgia, that provides literacy resources to pediatric offices across the state. Her passion for education and early literacy skills works in tandem with her interests in increasing civic engagement. In 2021, Karson represented the University of Georgia as Miss UGA at the Miss Georgia Scholarship Competition. After becoming Miss Georgia 2021, she competed at the 100th Miss America Competition while advocating for equal education for all. Karson grew up in Augusta, Georgia and currently resides in Norcross, Georgia. In her spare time, she enjoys reading and hanging out with her husband and three cats.