Kay Holekamp is the 2025 recipient of the Ralph H. Smuckler Award for Advancing International Studies and Programs at MSU, which recognizes long-term achievement in the promotion and advancement of international scholarship, teaching and public service. 

Holekamp is University Distinguished Professor in the Department of Integrative Biology in the College of Natural Science. She is the principal investigator on a 35-year study of the behavioral ecology of spotted hyenas in the Masai Mara Reserve in Kenya. Her research investigates the multiple components of hyenas’ biology, from how early social experience affects hyena success later in life, to how hyenas communicate in the face of threats like lions, to reasons for apparent sex-role reversal of males and females to, most recently, impacts of urbanization on hyena fitness. 

Early in her career, Holekamp integrated her research and teaching of undergraduate and graduate students. She began taking undergraduates to Kenya in 1993 and, by 1999, in collaboration with department colleague Associate Professor Barbara Lundrigan, they established the Behavioral Ecology of African Mammals, BEAM, study abroad program. 

“When I first took undergraduates with me to Kenya, I remember thinking that my own years living there would allow me to give students a unique experience that offered extensive exposure to my two favorite things: travel and the study of animal behavior,” Holekamp said. 

In addition to her commitment to her research subjects and students, Holekamp is invested in the training and education of Kenyan people. She both employs and trains many Kenyan students and locals during and following their undergraduate studies. 

National Geographic’s March 2024 cover depicts the spotted hyena, with the magazine featuring Holekamp’s work. One never knows where her work may show up next as Holekamp is heavily involved in outreach activities stemming from her research. Each year, she consults on three to four films and podcasts about hyenas. 

“We are all united by the fact that we share a fragile planet, so we should be working to develop a global worldview that recognizes that we share a common humanity regardless of what language we speak or which country we occupy. When we think about citizens of planet Earth outside the U.S.A, we need to change the ‘us vs. them’ mentality, which is now anachronistic and dangerous,” Holekamp said. 

She has been a member of the Advisory Panel for Carnivore Conservation Evidence Synopsis Project since 2012 and was the subject of a book written for middle school children called "The Hyena Scientist," published in 2018 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company and authored by Sy Montgomery. 

Holekamp has co-authored more than 200 peer-reviewed publications and is the recipient of numerous honors and awards. She earned her doctorate from the University of California, Berkeley. Learn more about Holekamp’s work. 

Holekamp was nominated by members of the Department of Integrative Biology and the Dean of the College of Natural Science: Associate Professor Catherine Lindell, Department Chair Kevin McGraw, College of Natural Science Dean Eric Hegg. “It is difficult to think of another MSU faculty member who fits the criteria of this award so well,” they said. 

“I view this award as a fabulous honor. To be singled out is really wonderful; although, I’d be shocked if there were not many other individuals nominated who were at least as deserving as I,” Holekamp said.