TCA Celebrates 2026 Scholarship Recipients and the Next Generation of Concrete Professionals
The future of Tennessee’s concrete industry depends on developing the next generation of skilled, knowledgeable professionals—and TCA is proud to help students take the next step toward careers in concrete.
This year, Paiseley Davidge, Lily Crook and Lily Amstutz, students in Middle Tennessee State University’s Concrete Industry Management (CIM) program, each received a $1,250 scholarship from TCA.
We asked each recipient to share more about what brought them to CIM, what they’re looking forward to this school year and the areas of concrete that interest them most. Get to know TCA’s 2026 scholarship recipients below!
Meet Paiseley Davidge
Paiseley Davidge is a sophomore in the MTSU CIM program and a member of the ACI Student Chapter.
What are you most excited about for this school year?
This school year I am most excited about learning the foundations of concrete and what makes it such an fascinating business.
What made you choose to pursue a CIM degree?
I choose to pursue a CIM degree because it is a growing industry with so much to learn while also creating job stability.
Are you a member of the MTSU ACI Chapter? Have you participated in a student contest before?
I am a member of the ACI student chapter. I have not participated in any of the student contest, but I am excited to in the future.
What’s your favorite concrete topic?
My favorite concrete topic is mix design because it is part of what makes concrete such a dynamic industry.
Meet Lily Crook
Lily Crook is a junior in the MTSU CIM program whose interest in construction and concrete began with her family.
What are you most excited about for this school year?
This school year, I am excited to gain hands-on experience in the CIM lab through concrete testing. I am also looking forward to learning more about the fundamental principles of concrete and flatwork.
What made you choose to pursue a CIM degree?
I chose to pursue a CIM degree because my family has a background in construction. My father owned an excavation company, which gave me the opportunity to gain exposure to construction jobsites while growing up. My grandfather is another inspiration for me, as he did a lot of concrete work throughout his career building houses. These experiences helped spark my interest in construction and led me to pursue a career in the concrete industry.
What year are you in the CIM program?
I am a Junior in the CIM program.
Are you a member of the MTSU ACI Chapter? Have you participated in a student contest before?
I am a member of the ACI chapter at MTSU. I have not competed in a contest before, but I would be open to participating in one in the future!
What’s your favorite concrete topic?
My favorite concrete topic is admixtures. I like learning how different admixtures change the concrete's properties and performance.
Meet Lily Amstutz
Lily Amstutz is a second-semester junior in the MTSU CIM program and is on track to graduate in December 2027.
What are you most excited about for this school year?
I am looking forward to attending several networking events and building connections with industry experts throughout the semester.
What made you choose to pursue a CIM degree?
I chose to pursue a CIM degree during my junior year of high school when I had the opportunity to create a competitive research project that merged both the agriculture and concrete industries. I got to work with our program director, Jon Huddleston, where I compared different concrete sealers in agricultural environments. In 2024, I earned the national title at the annual FFA Convention. Working with Jon in the School of Concrete & Construction Management gave me a sense of belonging, and I knew it was exactly what I was looking for.
What year are you in the CIM program?
I am a second-semester junior on track to graduate in December of 2027.
Are you a member of the MTSU ACI Chapter? Have you participated in a student contest before?
I currently serve as our ACI Chapter Treasurer and have competed in a couple of events such as the Egg Drop and Mortar Workability competitions.
What’s your favorite concrete topic?
One of my favorite concrete topics is Precast/Prestress as well as Sustainability. Both of these areas play a vital role in this industry, and I find them fascinating.
Investing in Tennessee’s Future Workforce
From hands-on testing and mix design to sustainability, precast and industry networking, these three students are already exploring the many opportunities available within concrete.
TCA is proud to support Paiseley, Lily and Lily as they continue their education and prepare to enter the workforce. Scholarships are one way TCA and its members can help strengthen the talent pipeline, introduce students to rewarding careers and invest in the long-term future of Tennessee’s concrete industry.
Congratulations to all three of TCA’s 2026 scholarship recipients!