Meet our new Executive Director, Alex Bullen Coutts

2025-11-13T09:20:18-05:00June 8th, 2023|In the News, News|

Hello!

I am thrilled to have joined the team at the Martha’s Vineyard Center for Education and Training as Executive Director. It’s been a whirlwind first month on the job – I’ve loved getting to know the team, meeting with community partners, and dreaming up new ways to grow programs and continue to serve the island community with exciting opportunities for career development, higher education and personal growth.

A few weeks back I was honored to be interviewed by the Vineyard Gazette – if you missed the article, read it here  – where I shared a bit about my history, my passion for working with young adults, and my commitment to lifelong learning.

A few hot takes, if you’re into that kind of thing…

  • I’ve been working in nonprofits and education on the Island for about a decade, most recently at the MV Charter School as a community outreach coordinator. Before that, I worked at the Island Wide Youth Collaborative, developing programming for young adults. You may have seen a weekly newsletter and instagram account I managed, called Oyster MV.  It’s my dream to bring some of that same sense of community-building and social engagement to MVCET.
  • I strongly believe that our career paths don’t have to be linear. In my twenties, I was a yoga teacher, waitress, and wrote novels for young adults. In my early thirties, I was home with my kids. Sometimes the road to a job you love is long and winding; sometimes there are switchbacks and hairpin turns. You may decide to  jump tracks completely. At MVCET, it’s our goal to be here for you, wherever you are in your journey to meaningful employment.
  • I can’t wait to meet and hear from you! Our mission at MVCET is to serve learners and job-seekers of all ages, living year-round on Martha’s Vineyard. If that’s you, give a shout!  What would you like to see offered at MVCET? We have so many exciting new programs in the works – from nursing to small business support, computer programming to early childhood education. What are we missing? Drop a line, send us a DM, or stop by our new office to say hello.

Lastly,

Be sure to give us a follow on Instagram if you haven’t yet, and stay tuned for more newsletters and a fresh new look. We’ll be sharing lots of photos of programs, events and behind-the-scenes glimpses of summer so far.

Here’s to a happy, productive season – with lots of beach breaks, time in the garden, meals with friends and fun in the sun. 

Excited to be on this journey with you all,

Alex

MVCET receives “Non-Profit of the Year” Award from SCORE

2025-11-13T09:39:02-05:00November 14th, 2022|In the News, News|

This October, the SCORE Cape & Islands Small Business Awards selected Martha’s Vineyard Center for Education & Training (MVCET, formerly ACE MV) as Non-Profit of the Year!

This recognition is for a nonprofit on the Cape & Islands that demonstrates the use of sound business principles in the execution of its mission.

SCORE’s 29th annual Awards Breakfast was held Wednesday, October 26 at Family Table Collaborative South Yarmouth, and the award was accepted by MVCET Executive Director Holly Bellebuono.

Watch SCORE’s video about MVCET

ACE MV Board Director Spotlight: Kim Garrison’s work profiled in Vineyard Gazette

2025-11-13T09:36:01-05:00February 4th, 2022|In the News, News|

This week, the Vineyard Gazette featured ACE MV Board Director Kim Garrison and her work to improve student mental health.

“There’s a lot of challenges for many of our families,” she told the Gazette. “Substance use. Housing is a huge crisis. The pandemic. … We’re officially in a youth mental health crisis.”

Read the article