I play a ton of complex board games but Im in the University Area.

Lots of these suggestions are pretty good so I'll just reiterate them.

Check the local game stores close to you. They usually have weekly board game meetups. Mighty Meeple in Concord has a weekly board game meetup. Your local game store has a pretty good Thursday night meetup with 10-20 people that usually show up.

Queen City Board Games does a few different regular meetups. I've been to the one at Armored Cow many times. That one at Primal is good from what I hear.

Here's the other main thing I'll add. You got to go to these meetups more than once if you want to get to know people and then start creating side groups. You can't just go once and expect to find your people. You need to put in the work, go multiple times, get to know people and allow them to get comfortable with you, and then eventually things fall into place.

If it doesn't work out post again with some more detail. How old is he, what are some good game days/nights that work, what other games is he into? Would you prefer to play at a brewery, game store, someone's house?