History

In 1986, we had a vision. Our founders, Roger Serre and Jean-Michel Perrenot, who still serve as CEO and President today, set out to create something entirely new in France. Instead of following the traditional lecture-based model of French higher education, we imagined a school where students learned differently, through debate, participation, critical thinking, and real-world application. Inspired by the American way of learning and its Liberal Arts philosophy, we founded CEFAM, a business school offering a U.S. style curriculum, 100% in English, focused on Management, and designed for a world becoming more global and interconnected.

From the very beginning, building international bridges was at the heart of our mission. Northeastern University and Temple University became our first American partners, sharing our commitment to experiential learning, academic excellence, and global opportunity. These partnerships were more than simple exchange programs; they opened life-changing pathways, allowing our students to study in the United States or Canada and graduate with a North American degree.

Over the years, our network of partner universities has grown to include many prestigious institutions across North America. These partnerships are the foundation of our Dual Degree, MBA, and Study Abroad programs. Today, we are proud to guarantee all our students the opportunity to earn two degrees simultaneously, one French and one North American. With more than 1,500 alumni living and working in over 70 countries, our vision continues to shape global leaders.

In 2025, we wrote a new chapter in our international story with the launch of our International Relations program. This program brings the same American-style education, interactive learning, open discussion, case studies, teamwork, and global perspectives into the fields of diplomacy, international cooperation, and global policy.

Through this evolution, we remain true to who we are: a school that educates globally minded leaders, capable of understanding the world not just from books, but through experience, dialogue, and the freedom to think and question, the American way.