Housing and Residence Life
By Micah Jordan, Communications Assistant for Student Affairs
Higher education is not just a job for Milan Novaković, it is a calling rooted in curiosity, community and a deep belief in people. Now serving as the training and development specialist for Housing and Residence Life at UNC Charlotte, Novaković’s journey began thousands of miles away in Belgrade, Serbia, and has since carved a homegrown path defined by purpose, leadership and impact.
Novaković’s family’s bakery business instilled in him the value of hard work, structure and service traits that quietly laid the foundation for his career in higher education. From there, his experiences shaped those traits.
Born and raised in Charlotte with Serbian roots, he then discovered a love for campus life through roles as an RA, student government leader and office assistant for intercultural engagement at UNC Greensboro.
But all of Novaković’s involvement there sparked a bigger question: Could this be a career?
Graduate school at the University of Central Arkansas refined that answer, where he served as a residence coordinator in honors housing before returning home to Charlotte to serve students full-time.
“704 raised me, 336 educated me and 501 made me,” Novaković said, a nod to the area codes of the meaningful stops in Charlotte, Greensboro and Central Arkansas he made on the way to the University.
From his early days living on campus as a resident education coordinator to now overseeing training for more than 270 student staff, Novaković has become a linchpin in the University’s residential life experience.
His current role is equal parts strategic and creative. He leads large-scale staff onboarding efforts, manages logistics for training and designs high-energy programming to set the tone for the academic year.
“It’s a full production,” Novaković said, describing this year’s space-themed training: “Discover Your Universe.” With Director of Residence Life Dr. Nequel Burwell’s team as “mission control” and Area 49 at the center of operations, Novaković makes sure every new staff member feels equipped and energized.
That energy is exactly what earned him this year’s Positive Impact Award from Student Affairs. Recognized for his leadership during one of the most logistically demanding seasons, Novaković supported summer closing, prepped residence halls and guided his team with calm and clarity.
“There’s a steadiness at play,” Novaković said. “When it’s 11 p.m. and there are rooms to check, I don’t panic. I stay focused and lead with care.”
He credits strategy and future-thinking as two of his top strengths, but his approach is just as personal. From checking in on team wellness to bringing doughnuts during tough stretches, he believes that small, steady moments create strong teams.
Looking ahead, Novaković is excited to guide staff through a full training cycle in his new role and continue shaping the student experience from day one.
Novaković said he believes Charlotte is “destined for greatness.” With leaders like him, it’s clear that future is already in motion.