Retool Your School

Ayliahna Wilson
Staff Writer

Jackson State University is vying for $150,000 in the current Home Depot Retool Your School (RYS) competition. This will be the sixth time the JSU has competed and this year, the prize money has doubled. 

The competition gives HBCUs the opportunity to use the funds to improve their campus with any project ideas that beautify the campus. 

According to www.retoolyourschool.com, in 2009, The Home Depot launched the Retool Your School Campus Improvement Grant Program to award grants to Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) for campus renovations, repairs and enhancements. Over the years, the program has attempted to give back to HBCUs some of what they have so generously given to their students, alumni and communities: a strong foundation, a renewed purpose and a distinctive character. 

Since its inception, the Retool Your School Program has awarded 184 campus improvement grants totaling over $5.2 million. 

The RYS program has renewed their commitment to being “Powered by Purpose” by developing several exciting new initiatives for 2023. 

These initiatives include 60 scholarships worth $2500 each; one virtual resume workshop and one virtual interviewing workshop each quarter; 300 six to eight week virtual externships; 10 HBCUs need-based grants to renovate an existing campus space into an innovation lounge; and need-based community project grants of up to $50,000 

The winners for the campus improvement grants are determined by a voting system, the more votes the schools receive, the higher their chances are to receive the first place prize. 

Promoting the event via email, social media, and at different events on campus is what helps get the word out to students.

Winners receive the money and building equipment needed to assemble improvement projects at various locations on campus. 

 The goal is to win the largest amount of money, so promotions are usually put out quite often once the voting kicks off. This year, Retool Your School is completely student-led from the graphics, email marketing, and print publications. 

Tianna Williams, a senior journalism and media studies major from Houston, Texas, is serving as the RYS Project Manager and said she is elated and cannot wait to get started on campaigning because this is an amazing opportunity for students to have. 

“It (RYS) allows students to get their hands wet and interact and be a part of the success of a university wide campaign. The grant money won from Retool Your School essentially benefits the students,” Williams said.

RYS also gives students a chance to come together for the greater good. Quensey Hopkins, a junior French major from Shreveport, La., appreciates the rapport with students that comes with RYS.

“What I like most about RYS, besides the money it brings to the school, is the unity that it brings. Everyone is working together for one common goal, whether it’s reaching out to people with high social media followings or whatever the case is, everybody is working together to serve one purpose,” said Hopkins. 

Jackson State has won funds from RYS in 2021 and 2022. With the money received in 2021, students were able to build a study are near John W. Dixon Residence Hall. 

Students and faculty also came together to paint a mural, plant flowers, and build the main seating area. 

In 2022, the prize money was used to create an entertainment area outside of the Student Center. The area was built on Feb. 17, 2023, and students are anxiously awaiting the projectors and speakers to be put in place so the area can be fully utilized. 

Voting has begun and will conclude on March 26. Voting is not limited to college students. 

Votes can be submitted through official RYS website or by simply using #RYSJackson. Each time the special hashtag is used, it counts as one vote for your school. This can be posted on any social media platform, and students are encouraged to use this in order to obtain a larger audience.