Dr. Marilyn Berman Engineering Living-Learning Programs

The Flexus Engineering Living-Learning Program is a two-year living and learning community open to incoming first-year engineering students. The Flexus community is devoted to providing a supportive environment for students studying engineering who identify as women. Flexus promotes community and inclusion in the field of engineering through curricular and co-curricular programs. Flexus is an ideal program for students who are looking for community, academic support, and ways to develop as future engineers outside of technical courses. The Flexus community engages closely with the Virtus Community.  

The Virtus Engineering Living-Learning Program is a two-year living and learning community open to incoming first-year engineering students. Virtus is designed for engineering students who identify as men. The primary focus of Virtus is to promote community and inclusion within the Clark School and the field of engineering. Virtus is an ideal program for students who are looking for community, academic support, and ways to develop as future engineers outside of technical courses. The Virtus community engages closely with Flexus.

Living with Flexus and Virtus

First-year Flexus and Virtus students live in the common residential community in Easton Hall. Living with the Flexus and Virtus communities in Easton Hall is a requirement for all first-year participants in the Flexus and Virtus programs.* Living with this community helps to develop a peer support network. Students can easily create study groups, benefit from peer tutoring in Easton Hall, and engage in a variety of social activities specific to the development and interests of the community.

*The WIE Program is committed to supporting our students while ensuring that all participants benefit from the rich community and resources Flexus and Virtus offer. Students accepted into Flexus or Virtus are required to live on campus during their first year. However, waivers can be requested to accommodate a variety of circumstances, for example, students commuting to campus from home or needing special housing arrangements.  

Learning with Flexus and Virtus

Flexus and Virtus students are encouraged to take their first engineering, math and science courses together. All Flexus and Virtus students are required to enroll in a 1-credit seminar course each semester for a total of four seminar courses during their first and second year. Completing all four seminars is a requirement to complete the Flexus & Virtus programs.

These 1-credit seminars explore a range of topics that seek to:

• Enhance campus and community engagement;
• Promote critical self-awareness while developing leadership skills; and
• Connect engineering to social impact.

The required courses include:

*satifies 1 credit of the General Education DVCC requirement

Apply to Flexus and Virtus

The Fall 2026 Application for Flexus and Virtus is now open.  

The priority deadline to apply is Monday, April 6, 2026 at 11:59 p.m. Students who have submitted applications by the priority deadline will be notified of their admission decision by Monday, April 13, 2026.

The regular application deadline is Monday, April 20, 2026 at 11:59 p.m. Students who have submitted applications by the regular deadline will be notified of their admission decision by April 24, 2026.

For questions, please contact WIE@umd.edu.

The Dr. Marilyn Berman WIE Engineering Living-Learning Programs: Flexus and Virtus are grateful for the generous support of our donor.