A selectively configurable electric motor comprises a stator and a plurality of poles electrically coupled to the stator. The selectively configurable electric motor also includes an actuator separated from the poles by an air gap and configured to move relative to the stator in the presence of an electromagnetic field. The selectively configurable electric motor further includes a plurality of electric conductors, each of the plurality of electric conductors substantially wound around one of the plurality of poles. The selectively configurable electric motor also includes a power converter, at least a portion of which is coupled to the plurality of electric conductors, including a plurality of switching elements configured to selectively couple one or more of the plurality of electric conductors in a predetermined electrical configuration.