It reads, “Thank you guys for always being so helpful and sweet.”

As university librarian, that kind of positive student feedback serves as a reminder to Joven that, “what we do matters.” It also drives the creation of innovative programs, technological advancements and inclusive activities that continue to support Quinnipiac’s students, faculty and the entire Bobcat community.

For his commitment to providing an inclusive and intellectually stimulating environment for the university and its students, Joven will be honored as one of six recipients to receive the Quinnipiac Center for Faculty and Staff Excellence award.

Joven joined Quinnipiac in 2012 with nearly 20 years of experience in higher education information services, including New York University, Yale University and the University of Connecticut. He can even remember the exact date he officially started work at Quinnipiac. It was Nov. 2. — his birthday.

“It was a wonderful birthday present. I turned 45 at that time and it was such a big milestone for me,” said Joven. “I love this place. Every day I walk out of the Arnold Bernhard  Library overlooking our beautiful campus, and then I look up at Sleeping Giant and think, ‘I can’t believe I get to work here.’”

According to Joven, the favorite part of his day is when he can walk the floors of the library, stopping to chat with students and faculty members, and asking one simple question, “Is there anything else the library can provide for you?”

Engaging in conversations may seem unusual for anyone who imagines a library as a hushed and solitary environment. At Quinnipiac, the Arnold Bernhard Library bustles with energy and activity. To Joven, the library represents the heart of the Bobcat academic community.

“I see the library not just as a place to study but also as a social hub where connections are made. Yes, we still provide quiet spaces for students to write papers or do their homework,” said Joven. “But the library has evolved over the last 20 years. It’s now a space where students can really engage with their peers, faculty and staff.”

Joven’s guidance over the years has resulted in a notable increase in library usage and community-building activities, such as educational displays celebrating Women’s History Month, Black History Month and Juneteenth.

“Libraries don't represent just one thought or one idea, we focus on inclusivity and making sure our collections are balanced and represent not just other viewpoints, but various thoughts and ideas,” said Joven. “We want students to see that there are many types of people in this country and in this world. That’s why it’s important our collections are diverse.”

He also recently led the adoption of the FOLIO Library Services Platform, making Quinnipiac one of the first universities in Connecticut to embrace this innovative, open-source platform.

Joven’s work to build bridges between the library and the student body is particularly evident in his partnerships with various student organizations, leading to the creation of new spaces and programs that promote a strong sense of belonging and co-curricular engagement. He also championed a major restructuring of the library’s hours to better align with the changing needs of students and led a space renovation to enhance collaboration and engagement across student groups and between students and faculty.

In 2020, when COVID forced schools into remote learning, Joven’s team didn’t just respond, they proactively led. Working closely with faculty and staff, Quinnipiac’s library services provided tools and strategies that ensured the university could maintain its high standards of learning in a remote setting.

His former colleague, Khalilah Brown-Dean, associate provost for faculty affairs and professor of political science, wrote in her nomination letter:

“Robert is a champion for building an inclusive, excellence-driven institution that prioritizes student well-being, staff development and organizational efficiency. Most of all, Robert’s leadership is a powerful reminder that libraries represent the intellectual hub of a university that can simultaneously nurture the physical, mental and spiritual well-being of our community."

A longtime resident of North Haven, Connecticut, Joven is a member of the American Library Association, Association of College and Research Libraries, and Connecticut Library Association. He holds a master’s degree in  Organizational Leadership from Quinnipiac University, a master’s degree in library science from Long Island University and a bachelor’s degree in biology from Southern Connecticut State University.