CCDI - Construction Career Development Initiative

Our next 2026 Build Our Future Scholarship spotlight is Kiza Ibrahim. Kiza is a senior at Gateway STEM in Saint Louis Public Schools whose story reflects resilience, determination, and the life-changing impact of mentorship and opportunity. Kiza grew up in a refugee camp in Tanzania in East Africa before immigrating to the United States just three years ago. Arriving with limited English skills, the transition was not easy. He quickly took on significant responsibility, helping his family of 10 navigate daily life by translating and providing financial support while adapting to an entirely new environment.

We were first connected with Kiza through one of our cornerstone sponsors, icon Mechanical, whose team has invested personally in supporting Kiza and his family during their transition to life in St. Louis. Through those relationships and mentorship opportunities, Kiza gained hands-on work experience in the Milford Plumbing Supply warehouse and spent time inside the icon Mechanical office learning how mechanical engineering is applied within the construction industry.

Those experiences sparked a passion for engineering and helped Kiza see what was possible for his future. This fall, he will become the first person in his family to attend college when he begins his journey at Missouri S&T pursuing a degree in Mechanical Engineering. Kiza will proudly follow in the footsteps of on of his mentors and Missouri S&T alumnus, Mike Bieg, Founder of icon Mechanical.

Another one of Kiza’s mentors from the International Institute St. Louis wrote in a letter of recommendation: “Every step of the way, Kiza has been motivated to make the most of the educational opportunities offered to him since coming to the United States, and I fully expect that drive and ambition will enable his success in a collegiate environment.”

We are honored to award Kiza’s scholarship in the name of icon Mechanical and incredibly grateful for the mentorship, guidance, and support they have provided along the way. Thank you, icon Mechanical, for connecting us with this remarkable young man. We know Kiza has an incredibly bright future ahead, and we are thrilled to support him as part of our 2026 Build Our Future Scholarship class. Please join us in congratulating Kiza!

Today we are proud to spotlight 2026 Build Our Future Scholarship recipient, Kamryn Staten. Kamryn is a dual enrolled student at Pattonville High School and North Tech, where he is part of Mr. Patrick Hanneken’s Construction Trades major. Kamryn credits Mr. Hanneken and the opportunities provided through our program with helping shape his future and fueling his passion for the construction industry.

In his scholarship essay, Kamryn shared, “When I took a chance on North Tech, I discovered my love for working with my hands and creating tangible projects. Learning about each trade fueled my excitement for the construction industry and inspired me to pursue a career where I can turn ideas into reality.”

Kamryn has been part of the CCDI program for the past two years and has taken full advantage of every opportunity along the way. During his junior year, he was selected by Concrete Strategies LLC. for a summer internship that developed into a work-based learning opportunity during his senior year, giving him valuable real-world industry experience before graduation.

As the oldest of five siblings, Kamryn is determined to set a strong example for his family and show what is possible through hard work, dedication, and perseverance. This fall, Kamryn will attend Southern Illinois University Edwardsville to study Construction Management, and we are excited to continue supporting him as he takes this next step toward a promising future in the industry. Please join us in congratulating Kamryn!