Miltenberger: UREC and Wood Center partnership elevates student experience

Last month, UNC sophomore Bo Miltenberger was named co-president to lead the Undergraduate Real Estate Club (UREC) through the 2025 calendar year. Miltenberger, who is from Dallas, TX, will work alongside incumbent co-president Livi Schram, whose term ends at the close of the spring semester. We spoke with Miltenberger, who is majoring in Business Administration with a focus in real estate, to learn more about the impact he hopes to make on UREC in the coming year.

Why are you passionate about commercial real estate? 

Growing up, I often spent Saturday mornings visiting construction sites with my father and being amazed at how he was literally shaping the neighborhoods around us. While others might find their creativity in things such as art, I have grown to find creativity and entrepreneurship in real estate. Whether it be building out an Excel model for a case competition or working on pricing guidance for a data center listing for my internship, I have grown to appreciate the diverse challenges a career in real estate brings. While often driving great returns for investors, real estate helps drive innovation and positively impacts those who interact with it. Whether it be a new life-saving medicine developed in a life science lab or a new mixed-use asset that helps bring growth to a neighborhood, real estate shapes not only the world around us but many other aspects of our lives.

Why are you a part of the Undergraduate Real Estate Club? How do you believe it benefits UNC Real Estate students? 

I’m part of UREC because it offers an unparalleled opportunity for students interested in real estate to learn about the industry, connect with other students interested in real estate, and gain hands-on experience through case competitions and other experiential learning opportunities. UREC provides UNC Real Estate students with helpful networking events, engaging weekly speakers, and free technical training, among many other benefits. The partnership between UREC and the Wood Center creates an experience for students that is truly unmatched nationwide. 

What is your vision for the club during your term?

My vision for UREC this year is to continue expanding the opportunities and resources available to our members. I hope to improve our technical training and support younger students in discovering their passion for real estate. With recruiting timelines continuing to be more competitive and moving earlier every year, and in some cases, now starting 18 months before a start date, it is crucial UREC continues to provide the necessary resources and networking opportunities for students to succeed. 

You are coming in during the second semester of your co-president’s term. What qualities about you and your co-president do you believe will make you a good team to lead UREC together?

I am incredibly excited to work with Livi this semester, and I appreciate the hard work she has put into improving our club during the fall semester alongside Adam. Livi and I are both listeners, enthusiastic, and enjoy helping others. She and I are both motivated individuals who want to see this club and its members succeed. I believe these traits will allow us to lead the club effectively and build on what past club presidents have worked hard to build to continue to serve our members.

How do you believe you can positively impact the UNC Real Estate Community?

I believe I can make a meaningful impact by helping students further their interest in real estate and providing them with the tools and connections to succeed. Since arriving at UNC, I’ve worked hard to expand my knowledge and meet individuals working in all parts of the industry. I hope to leverage these experiences to educate students, connect them with professionals, and support them as they pursue their career goals.

Where do you see yourself in five years?

In five years, I see myself working in real estate private equity in New York City. I’ve always been drawn to the investment side of the business, and through my experiences growing up in Dallas, studying in Chattanooga, Scotland, and currently in Chapel Hill, I have gained an appreciation and love for new and challenging environments. Working in real estate private equity in New York City is a great opportunity to continue to challenge myself and get exposure to a large volume of high-quality deals.

If someone is interested in joining the club, how can they get involved?

Anyone interested in joining UREC can attend our weekly club meetings every Wednesday at 6:30 PM in McColl 3500. They are also welcome to reach out to Livi or I directly or email the club’s email, unc_realestateclub@unc.edu, for more information.