Nicholas Montano – Florida State University News

Name: Nicholas Montano
Major: Applied Economics
Graduation: Summer, 2026
Hometown: Weston, FL
College: College of Social Sciences & Public Policy

“After learning more about Florida State’s economics curriculum and the abundance of research opportunities, I knew it was the perfect place for me to grow both academically and personally.”

Nicholas Montano is a master’s economics student at FSU who works at the DeVoe L. Moore Center (DMC) as a housing policy researcher.

He is one of the contributors of the Florida Housing Data Project (FHDP), a collaborative initiative with the DMC, the Reason Foundation and the Florida Policy Project that uses data analysis to address Florida’s affordable housing challenges.

As a policy analyst, Montano has published many articles with the Reason Foundation discussing his opinions, recommendations and insights on the state’s housing industry.

Through the FSU Center for Global Engagement, Montano also volunteered as an English conversation facilitator, teaching new English speakers business jargon to expand their professional vocabulary.

Why did you choose FSU?

I first visited FSU during my senior year of high school while visiting a friend, and I immediately fell in love with the campus culture and the strength of its social science programs. After learning more about Florida State’s economics curriculum and the abundance of research opportunities, I knew it was the perfect place for me to grow both academically and personally.

What academic achievements are you most proud of?

My most significant research project at FSU was the Annual Highway Report. While at the Reason Foundation, I drafted reports evaluating surface transportation systems across all fifty states, analyzing data on performance, efficiency and funding.

It was an incredible experience contributing to a large-scale project with real policy implications. It aimed at improving transportation infrastructure and informing state and federal decision making.

How do you serve the FSU community?

My time at the English Conversation Club was one of the most rewarding experiences I’ve had. I watched my students gradually find their voices and grow more confident in speaking English. It was deeply fulfilling to see that transformation, and it reminded me how building community starts with helping individuals.

At the DMC, I’m contributing to the development of a statewide housing market dataset for Florida. I develop reports to identify alarming housing market trends. By strengthening access to this data, policymakers can make informed, data-driven decisions that address the Florida housing crisis.