Nik Kovac was born and reared in the 3rd District. He proudly attended Milwaukee Public Schools – from McDowell Montessori School, Golda Meir Elementary School, to Jackie Robinson Middle School, and through Riverside High School. While at Riverside, he earned more than 20 college credits from the University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee.

After attending Harvard University where he graduated cum laude with a degree in mathematics, Alderman Kovac became an acclaimed newspaper editor in New York City. He then returned to Milwaukee to work for the Shepherd Express and Riverwest Currents .

He currently serves on the board of Historic Milwaukee, Inc., and is an active member of the Riverwest Neighborhood Association, the Urban Ecology Center, and the Milwaukee River Work Group. Alderman Kovac lives in Riverwest.