Scarlet Shafie

Attendees at “Valen-Vision” created their own vision boards in the Valentine’s spirit.

With Valentine’s Day this past Friday, love has been in the air at Villanova. Despite the snow, our campus was buzzing with celebratory activities. There were students dressed in red and pink, heart décor all around, flower sale fundraisers and dozens of festivities hosted by campus organizations. However, one specific event stood out. 

Last Wednesday, Feb. 12, the Women’s Network (TWN) hosted a self-love night entitled “Valen-Vision.” The event was held in the Idea Lab, a collaborative workspace for students to gather and innovate located on Falvey’s lower level. The event invited students to stop by at their convenience over the course of two hours for a night of reflection, creativity and bonding.  

The space was decorated to perfection: themed donuts to snack on, heart-shaped tea lights glowing on the tables, candy Valentines and an overall cozy, festive atmosphere. It was the perfect way to get into the Valentine’s Day spirit.

Attendees gathered around tables stocked with everything needed to craft a unique vision board that captured their aspirations. Each table was filled with magazines for clipping images, decorative stickers, markers and other creative supplies to help bring their 2025 goals to life. 

“I signed up for the vision board event hosted by the Women’s Network in hopes of connecting with other women at Villanova and to have relaxing time to unwind in the middle of a busy academic week,” sophomore Grace Burton said. “I am so glad I attended this event because it was a great creative outlet and fostered new connections and conversations with people.” 

The room was buzzing with palpable energy, a mix of creativity and camaraderie. Attendees were able to take a break from the stress of academics and enjoy time socializing, empowering one another and setting intentions for the year ahead.

“The vision board night was very fun and a great way to relax on a rainy Wednesday evening,” freshman Lulu Cassedy said. “I love being able to go to the Women’s Network events and talk to new people I probably would not have had the chance to meet otherwise.”

Sophomore Hannah Yang echoed this sentiment. 

“I loved the Valen-Vision event because I was able to meet so many wonderful ladies and see their goals in such a creative way,” Yang said. “I hope everything on their vision board comes true.”

Beyond being a fun and relaxing activity, the event served a deeper purpose – helping women visualize and articulate their goals in a safe and supportive space. Engaging in this creative process allowed students to reflect on their future while also finding encouragement from their peers. Setting a goal is one thing, but creating and displaying a vision board provides a tangible reminder of one’s ambitions, strengths and capabilities. 

The Women’s Network is an incredible organization dedicated to supporting women across all career fields and helping them to achieve their professional goals. With more than 50,000 members spanning more than 120 chapters, TWN is North America’s largest collegiate women’s networking organization. It was founded with the intention of equipping women of all majors with the resources and connections necessary to infiltrate and succeed in competitive industries. TWN also acknowledges the systemic barriers women often face when advancing in the workforce and actively strives to empower them, amplify their voices and combat those challenges. Wednesday’s “Valen-Vision” event is just one example of the impactful work TWN does within our Villanova community and beyond.  

No matter your relationship status this February – single, taken or something in between – prioritize your well-being. Extend yourself compassion, believe in your potential and remember that love, at its core, begins with you.