ACHES Conference 2019

By: OHEA Student Member Shelby Weaver ​

Students at the 2019 ACHES Conference. Source: Shelby Weaver

The Association of Canadian Human Ecology Students (ACHES) Conference was held at the University of Manitoba from January 3-5th. This conference provides students from universities that offer programs in Home Economics, including Nutrition, Human Ecology, Human Ecology Education, Family Studies, Fashion Studies, and other related fields with an opportunity to advocate for and celebrate the profession, as well as network with one another. Each participating university takes turns hosting the annual conference. This year, students from the University of Manitoba, University of Alberta, Universitie de Moncton, and Brescia University College attended, a majority of whom were from out-of-province.

The Student Human Ecology Association (SHEA), a student organization at Brescia, sponsored one SHEA member to attend the ACHES conference this year. As students, the cost of going to a three-day conference out-of-province can be a deterrent for attending. In response to this, SHEA created a raffle in which interested SHEA members could enter for a chance to win attendance free of charge. Another Brescia student and I also attended.
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I was excited to attend the ACHES conference. Being surrounded by students from across the province who shared my passions for Home Economics and Human Ecology expanded my awareness of the different facets of the field. It was a fantastic opportunity to learn more about the paths other students were pursuing. In addition, the speakers were diverse and engaging, ranging from nutrition-related topics to fashion and sustainability. There was also ample opportunity to explore what Winnipeg has to offer, including The Forks and the Fashion Museum of Canada. I encourage any students in a Human Ecology or Home Economics field to consider attending University of Alberta’s ACHES conference next year.

About the author:

I'm going into my fourth year at Brescia in the Honours Specialization in Nutrition and Families. I'm the incoming Vice President Family Studies of SHEA for the 2019-2020 year. I plan on attending teacher's college to one day have a career in curriculum development. I also am a strong advocate for Health at Every Size (HAES), and will be working with Big Brothers Big Sisters this summer to teach young girls about positive body image and self-esteem. My favourite thing about my degree is how applicable it is to every day life. I look forward to graduating and becoming part of the P.H.Ec. family.