A number of studies highlight living and learning communities (LLCs) as a factor contributing to student persistence, particularly in STEM programs. 1-3 For several years, the University of Maryland–College Park has housed Flexus: The Dr. Marilyn Berman Pollans Women in Engineering Living and Learning Community. This LLC is solely for first and second year women, who are in vital years of their student development. Flexus provides a space for these women to feel supported, explore different options within engineering, and gain skills that are not taught to the general population. Additionally, every participant in Flexus is required to take a one-credit course each semester and complete a minimum of four service hours.

This paper explores how Flexus has helped improve the experiences of women in engineering majors. In 2013, researchers from the Project to Assess Climate in Engineering (PACE), which is funded by the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation, conducted focus groups with Flexus and non-Flexus engineering students. Researchers combined program evaluation data gathered by the institution with the focus group data collected by the PACE team to illuminate best practices for building inclusive environments for and retaining women pursuing engineering majors.