FIU names Mia Hignojos new assistant softball coach

A week before Florida International University’s softball season got underway, the Panthers and head coach Heather Gelbard announced the hiring of assistant coach Mia Hignojos.
“I'm very excited to welcome Mia to the Panther Family,” Gelbard said. “Throughout the interview and hiring process, Mia’s open and honest communication really stood out. I expect that she will develop close relationships with our diverse roster of student-athletes, and be able to mentor them on and off the field.”  
Hignojos, who is an Odessa, Texas native, rounds out Gelbard's staff for the 2019 season. 
“I would like to thank the FIU administration and Coach Gelbard for this extraordinary opportunity,” Hignojos said. “The passion and commitment this administration and staff shows goes above and beyond. I’m excited to join this staff and continue the tradition of excellence that FIU softball has.”
Hignojos graduated from the University of New Mexico in 2015 with a degree in Environmental Planning and Design. During her tenure as a Lobo, Hignojos emerged as a dynamic defensive infielder playing in 148 games, averaging a fielding percentage of .966, recording 295 putouts and 222 assists.
While playing multiple infield positions, Hignojos was awarded Academic All-Conference, team MVP and Defensive Player of the Year during her senior season. During her final year with the Lobos, she helped lead New Mexico to the second-most conference wins (13) in program history.
In 2016, Hignojos had the opportunity to play professionally on the USA Women’s Baseball National team, earning a spot on the 40-women roster.
After her experience with the USA Women's Baseball National Team, Hignojos moved to the Dallas area and worked as a special education inclusion teacher, while volunteering her time with the women’s softball and wrestling teams and earning a Certified Personal Trainer certificate from the National Academy of Sports Medicine.