MISSION
The mission of the American College of the Mediterranean is to provide excellence in international education, inspire intercultural awareness, and prepare students for success in a global community through the study of European and Mediterranean history, languages, cultures, and contemporary issues.
PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE
FACILITIES
ACM-IAU offers students ample space to learn, interact, study, and grow. With administrative offices, classrooms, lecture halls, conference facilities, student spaces, faculty housing, and more, students, faculty and staff feel right at home. ACM-IAU is committed to providing proper academic space to accommodate its increasing enrollment and faculty-led programs.
Aix-en-Provence, France
ACM-IAU’s flagship campus is located in central Aix-en-Provence, France, with most facilities situated in the historic center of the city. Aix-en-Provence is about 20 miles north of Marseille, and boasts a rich artistic, architectural, and archaeological heritage as the hometown of post-Impressionist painter Paul Cézanne, and with origins in the Middle Ages by the Romans. The city is also a bustling university town, with over 40,000 students enrolled in neighboring Sciences-Po Aix and Aix-Marseille University.
Manning Hall
8 Rue de Littéra, 13100 Aix-en-Provence
Located in the beautiful and historic (dating to 123 B.C.) section of Aix-en-Provence, Manning Hall is completely state-of-the-art while still holding all the old charms of southern France. It is equipped with Wi-Fi and projectors in each classroom and has been completely renovated to house the most modern technology.
With the inauguration of the new School of Humanities in 2013, ACM-IAU has added an additional twelve thousand square feet of state-of-the-art offices, libraries, and classrooms equipped with smart boards and 21st-century media technology to enhance the student learning experience. Once a 17th-century Hôtel Particulier, the new School of Humanities was completely renovated and dedicated under its new name in honor of Donna Dillon Manning, whose exemplary philanthropic generosity led to a capital campaign to fully fund the renovation project of the new school.
Manning Hall is also home to ACM-IAU’s Pearson Library, housing hundreds of volumes dedicated to the study of art and art history. Pearson Library also provides electronic access to thousands of electronic resources via JSTOR and ARTSTOR. In addition, the building houses the senior Academic and Student Affairs staff with a new Counseling and Wellness Center to better serve the needs of our students.
Centre d’Etudes Françaises
2 bis Rue du Bon Pasteur, 13100 Aix-en-Provence
The Centre d’Etudes Françaises is the home of ACM-IAU’s French Honors Program as well as all French language courses taught at ACM-IAU. The courses and classes instructed here are dedicated to the study of French language, literature, history, theater and culture. On the bottom floor students can relax in the “Cave” and grab a snack in the Denise Malrieu Student Lounge. Student lockers are also located in the building, allowing students to store their books and other personal items. The ACM-IAU library is located on the second floor and is open to students and Resident Fellows for studying and research. The top floor houses several offices for IAU staff and administrators.
Villa Celony
42 Rue Célony, 13100 Aix-en-Provence
The Donna Dillon Manning School of Global Affairs, the Student Life Office, and the Wellness Center are located in Villa Celony. This space includes classrooms, conference rooms, student lounges, a garden, and even a swimming pool which students can enjoy in the summer months.
ACM-IAU also offers many internship opportunities that are facilitated by the Internship Coordinator through the Donna Dillon Manning School of Global Affairs.
Center for Wine and Gastronomy
27 Place de l’Université, 13100 Aix-en-Provence
This building is home to ACM-IAU’s courses in viticulture, gastronomy, and wine marketing. Wi-Fi is available throughout all classrooms, and it is adjacent to several local cafés, including ACM-IAU’s very own Café Med. Students studying these disciplines will also attend lectures and classes at our vineyard on the Marchutz campus, as well as cooking classes in Café Med. ACM-IAU’s Faculty and Alumni Fellows Housing is also located in this building.
Marchutz Campus (L'Atelier Marchutz)
5 Avenue du Général Préaud, Route du Tholonet, 13100 Aix-en-Provence
Most of the art classes—art history, museum studies and photography—take place at the ACM’s Manning Hall and CEF, and the drawing and painting classes take place at l’Atelier Marchutz. Situated on the renowned ‘Route de Cézanne,’ l’Atelier Marchutz’s location in Aix-en-Provence has many advantages, among them its light-filled space, its proximity to the famed Chateaunoir and Sainte Victoire, and, most importantly, its calm and contemplative atmosphere conducive to sustained, artistic concentration. The studio itself was designed by architect Fernand Pouillon, and was formerly artist Leo Marchutz’s studio.
L’Atelier Marchutz is about a 25-minute walk from the center of Aix-en-Provence and ACM’s Manning Hall.
Café Med
ACM-IAU opened Café Med, its first restaurant and on-campus food hall at its Aix-en-Provence campus in May 2024. The café is located across from the Cathédrale Saint-Sauveur within a short walk from all ACM-IAU buildings and serves French-American fusion cuisine by Aixois Chef Jean Samat. The space is reserved for ACM-IAU staff and students to share a meal, connect with fellow classmates, and study.
Café Med offers students the ability to purchase meal plans that are comprised of meal units. Students can purchase a set of units (petit, standard, grand) and these units can be spent on food and drinks at the cafe. Smaller packages of units can also be purchased. This is a cashless enterprise and students can purchase units on the go using a credit card.
Welcome Center
2 Rue de Littéra, 13100 Aix-en-Provence
In September 2025, our staff in Aix inaugurated the new Welcome Center Bookstore, which serves alumni, visitors, and students alike. The Welcome Center is the meeting point for campus tours, as well as the place students and visitors may purchase ACM-IAU merchandise.
Barcelona, Spain
ACM-IAU’s Center in the lively and beautiful city of Barcelona, Spain is centrally located near the downtown Plaça de Catalunya area in the l’Eixample district, which is close to many of Barcelona’s famed attractions. The facilities have been completely renovated with modern amenities to suit the needs of the 21st-century college student, with classroom space, a computer lab, study spaces, an outdoor terrace, and wine tasting and cooking class facilities.
Ausiàs Marc 21
This building serves as our main Barcelona center building, which houses the Academics Office, Student Life & Wellness Office, Internship Coworking space, library and recreational lounge, and several classrooms.
Ausiàs Marc 25
Ausiàs Marc 25 is home to the Internships Office and Custom Programs Office, along with Administrative Offices, additional classroom space, and a large outdoor patio.
Ausiàs Marc 27
The Barcelona Center’s Housing Team and Student Travel office is located at Ausiàs Marc 27. This building also contains additional classroom space.
Madrid, Spain
Semester and summer IAU study abroad programs are conducted in the lively and beautiful city of Madrid, Spain. The Madrid Center is centrally located in the student-friendly neighborhood of Chamberí, close to many of Madrid’s famed attractions. IAU Madrid’s student affairs and academic affairs staff stand ready to advise, place, house, and otherwise support students each term.
IAU Madrid Center
Calle de Rodríguez San Pedro, 21, 28015 Madrid
This Madrid Center houses the Academic Office, Student Life & Wellness Office, Internship Coworking space, library, a recreational lounge, and several classrooms.
Florence, Italy
IAU’s Florence Center is located in the historic Piazza della Repubblica. Surrounded by cafes and restaurants, this piazza has been a central point in the city since the Roman times, as the original site of the forum, and serving as the commercial hub during the Middle Ages. IAU’s center is on the 5th floor, and includes 13 classroom spaces, with views of the Duomo and Giotto’s Campanile.
IAU also partners with the prestigious Accademia Europea di Firenze (AEF) and Accademia Italiana for additional coursework opportunities for students.
IAU Florence Center
Piazza della Repubblica, 6, 5th floor, Florence 50123
Accademia Italiana
Piazza Pitti 15, 50125 Florence, Italy
IAU partners with Accademia Italiana for the Business, Fashion and Liberal Arts program at IAU Florence. Founded in 1984, Accademia Italiana is one of the most prestigious university-level institutions for fashion, design and photography in Europe. Accademia Italiana is accredited by the Italian Ministry of Education and offers both undergraduate and graduate degrees to local Italian students and to students from around the world.
Accademia Europea di Firenze (AEF)
Via Cavour 37, 50129 Florence, Italy
IAU’s Performing Arts and Music program is offered in partnership with the prestigious Accademia Europea di Firenze (AEF), which has a long history and tradition focused on Italian language and culture and the performing arts. The center is located in the historical center of town in the Piazza San Marco on Via Camillo Cavour, which is within walking distance to the Duomo and Piazza della Repubblica among other important historical sites in Florence.
ACCREDITATION
U.S. Accreditation: ACM’s U.S. accreditation is through the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE).
French Recognition: Along with IAU, its study abroad institute, ACM is recognized in France as an institution of higher learning by the French Ministry of Private Higher Education and the Rectorat of Aix-Marseille University.
Incorporation: ACM is a 501 c(3), non-profit incorporated in the state of Arizona and licensed through the Arizona State Board of Private Postsecondary Education.
HISTORY
IAU is Founded
The Institute for American Universities (IAU) is founded in Aix-en-Provence, France by academics and former diplomats such as Dr. Herbert Maza, who also served as its first President, Dr. Evron Kirkpatrick, Ambassador Jeane Kirkpatrick, and others who wanted to provide a platform for Americans interested in studying diplomatic relations with related interests and careers in the foreign service and the State Department.
Expansion to Barcelona, Spain
IAU begins offering summer programs in Barcelona, Spain.
Launch of Custom/Faculty-Led Programs, January-Term traveling seminars, and Resident Fellows Program
IAU begins welcoming U.S. faculty as part of Custom/Faculty-Led Programs to support U.S. professors seeking a customized study abroad experience for their students, and its Resident Fellows Program that supports university faculty on sabbatical. IAU also begins to offer January-Term seminars in Europe and North Africa.
Creation of Schools and the first degree program, the Master of Fine Arts
IAU creates Schools and Centers within the framework of a College: School of Humanities and Social Sciences, School of Business and International Relations, School of Art, and the Center for French Studies (Centre d'Etudes Françaises). The first degree program is also launched through the School of Art.
ACM is founded and affiliated with IAU
In 2016, IAU filed articles of incorporation for The American College of the Mediterranean (ACM), which would ultimately house its undergraduate and graduate degree programs. ACM enrolls its first Bachelor of Arts students, first Masters of International Relations (MAIR) students, and first Masters of French Studies (MAFS) students.
Establishment of semester programs in Barcelona, and graduation of first ACM master's candidates
IAU creates Schools and Centers within the framework of a College: School of Humanities and Social Sciences, School of Business and International Relations, School of Art, and the Center for French Studies (Centre d'Etudes Françaises). The first degree program is also launched through the School of Art.
ACM merges with IAU, and establishes a center in Madrid, Spain
IAU officially merges with ACM as the successor corporation while IAU serves as ACM's study abroad institute. ACM is also granted candidacy status by the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE). ACM-IAU also opens a study abroad center in Madrid, Spain.
ACM opens new study abroad center in Florence, Italy
ACM opens its study abroad center through IAU in Florence, Italy.
Founders & Notable People
In 1960, Albert Camus visited a class taught by his former philosophy professor Léon Wencelius, a class that took place at the Institute for American Universities (IAU) in Aix-en-Provence, France. The small group of American students only gradually came to know the identity of their renowned guest. The talk was such a success that Camus invited the class to a picnic at his home in Lourmarin two weeks hence. Just a few days later, on January 4, a tragic car accident in Sens ended those plans, and the picnic never took place.
In memory of this experience and ACM-IAU’s relationship with the renowned historic figure, ACM-IAU hosts a regular conference on Camus. Please click here for more information about the conference series.
- Leo Marchutz, began teaching at the Institute for American Universities in 1959 and went on to found the Marchutz School of Painting & Drawing in 1972 with William Weyman and Sam Bjokrlund
- Philip Breeden, former diplomat and professor of international relations at IAU, became the inaugural Vice President of Administration for The American College of the Mediterranean
- Frances Cook, IAU alumna, former IAU Trustee, and former U.S. Ambassador to Burundi, Cameroon, and Oman
- William Granara, IAU Trustee, Gordon Gray Research Professor of Arabic, Former Director of the Center for Middle Eastern Studies at Harvard University, author, and visiting scholar
- Aboubakr Jamaï, Moroccan journalist and professor of international relations at IAU
- Max Kampelman, diplomat and former IAU Trustee
- Jeane Kirkpatrick, former IAU Trustee and first woman to serve as the United States Ambassador to the United Nations
- Kurt Volker, IAU Trustee, former U.S. Ambassador to NATO, and former U.S. Special Representative for Ukraine Negotiations
- Greg Wyatt, IAU Trustee and artist