Minor in Global Engineering Leadership (MGEL)
The courses offered in the Minor in Global Engineering Leadership significantly enhance Science, Technology, and Society (STS) curricula by equipping students with the interpersonal, ethical, and strategic skills necessary to navigate and influence complex sociotechnical systems. While STS explores the interplay between scientific innovation, technological development, and societal impact, leadership education empowers students to become proactive agents of change within these systems. By fostering critical thinking, collaborative problem-solving, and ethical decision-making, the integrated approach of leadership education, learning, and development equips students to not only grasp the broader implications of science and technology but also to lead initiatives that advance equity, sustainability, and innovation across diverse professional and cultural contexts.
The Minor in Global Engineering Leadership (MGEL) is designed to develop the skills necessary to lead with a global vision, work effectively with others to address social issues, and engineer solutions that improve communities and organizations.
Vertically Integrated Projects (VIPs)
Vertically Integrated Projects (VIP) are interdisciplinary research teams across campus that grow our undergraduate research and exploration opportunities!
The VIP Model for Experiential Learning creates long-term, large-scale projects that unite undergraduate education and faculty research, innovation, design, and entrepreneurship through multidisciplinary teams. “Vertically Integrated” refers to VIP team compositions, which typically include sophomores, juniors, seniors, graduate students, post-docs, and faculty.
Originally created at Georgia Tech and Purdue University, VIP has been making an impact for over 20 years at universities across the globe. Launched in 2024 with four engineering sponsored teams, there are now fourteen teams across disciplines for students to choose from.
Maryland Engineering Student Orgs (MESO)
Members of the Black Engineers Society (BES) pose at a conference.
Maryland Engineering Student Orgs (MESO) include competition teams; major-focused organizations; affinity organizations; honor societies and national chapters; and interdisciplinary organizations. The Clark School of Engineering provides support for all 50+ Engineering related student organizations. Join a team today and bring a friend!
MESO works in partnership with campus’ Student Organization Resource Center (SORC), providing additional resources that are unique to Engineering student organization interests and needs.
Organizations and clubs provide students opportunities to:
- Develop their leadership skills
- Work as a team
- Build lasting friendships and a network of people with similar interests
- Apply both their technical and engineering knowledge
- Gain exposure to hands-on projects
- Have a positive impact on their UMD, local, and global communities
- Strengthen their resume and professional development, including these NACE Career Competencies.
Flexus/Virtus Living-Learning Programs
Flexus is a two-year living and learning community that was established in 2007 by a generous gift from Dr. Marilyn Berman a former Associate Dean in the A. James Clark School of Engineering. Flexus is geared toward providing a supportive community for all students who identify as women studying engineering. Flexus aims to promote retention and inclusion in the field of engineering through curricular and co-curricular programs. Open to incoming first-year engineering students, 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, with combined living (mixed gender) and academic seminar components.
The Virtus Engineering Living and Learning Program is a two-year living and learning community designed for all engineering students that identify as men. Established in 2011 through a grant from the National Science Foundation, Virtus is open to incoming first-year engineering students. 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 further engineers outside of technical courses. The Virtus community engages closely with the Flexus community through combined living (mixed-gender) and academic seminar components.