What is EWOP?
A Texas nonprofit helping incarcerated women prepare for life after prison — through leadership, entrepreneurship, and lasting reentry support.
Leadership, character, and a written business plan before release.
Mentorship, employment connections, and a community that stays.
Texas A&M’s student chapter — four pillars supporting the women of EWOP.
How transformation unfolds
From the first session inside the unit to life after release, the year is built so women leave with a plan — and a community behind them.
Purpose & leadership
Character, communication, and personal accountability inside the unit.
Business plan & pitch
College-level entrepreneurship ending in a shark-tank style presentation.
Graduation
A ceremony that honors the year of growth — and prepares women for release.
Life after release
Housing, work, mentorship, and alumni community when it matters most.
Eligibility
- ✓ Close to parole
- ✓ High school diploma or GED
Of roughly 1,100 applicants each cycle, about 80 women are chosen — and 89 of the program's 100 current participants are mothers.
Our history
From a women's pilot in Lockhart to Aggie EWOP at Texas A&M — the milestones that got us here.
A women's pilot begins
Leaders adapt Texas’s Prison Entrepreneurship Program (PEP) to serve incarcerated women.
First pilot class
44 women participate at the Gregory S. Coleman Unit in Lockhart.
EWOP is founded
EWOP launches as its own 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to women.
Classes begin
The in-prison leadership and entrepreneurship program starts serving women.
Aggie EWOP is founded
Texas A&M’s student chapter forms around Research & Education, Marketing, Partnerships, and Fundraising.
First Aggie Day
Aggie EWOP’s first prison visit brings students inside to meet women in the program.
Dr. Shannon Deer
Faculty Advisor · Associate Dean for Undergraduate Programs & Clinical Associate Professor