Maitê Bueno Baldini

At first, I wanted to follow in my father's footsteps and pursue physical therapy, which would allow me to stay connected to soccer by helping athletes recover and perform at their best. But as I continued my academic journey, I realized that my passion leaned more toward being on the field, guiding athletes, shaping strategy, and understanding performance through coaching.

BSIS was the right choice because it offered the flexibility to change paths while still building a strong academic foundation. As an international student and former JUCO student athlete, I needed a degree that could adapt to my evolving goals. BSIS allowed me to combine Biology, Chemistry, and Kinesiology, which deepened my understanding of how the body moves, recovers, and responds to training. It prepared me for my current focus in coaching and my plans to specialize in soccer performance analysis.

BSIS diversified me by giving me a multidisciplinary foundation that now supports my transition into coaching. The program taught me how to think across disciplines, communicate with diverse teams, and adapt quickly, skills that are proving essential as I learn the fundamentals of coaching through my master’s program. BSIS didn’t just prepare me academically, it helped me grow into a more empathetic and strategic leader ready to specialize in soccer performance analysis after completing my coaching education.

Each of my emphasis areas added a unique layer to my understanding of sports and human performance. Biology and Chemistry gave me insight into the body’s internal systems, while Kinesiology helped me apply that knowledge to movement, training, and recovery. Together, they’ve made me a more well-rounded thinker and someone who can approach coaching and performance analysis with both scientific depth and human empathy. 

Maitê is currrently pursuing a master’s degree in Sport Pedagogy at Mississippi State University, where she is focused on learning the fundamentals of coaching. Alongside her studies, she serves as a graduate assistant at the Center for Student Activities, helping lead campus-wide programming, multicultural events, and student engagement initiatives. This dual role allows her to grow both as a future coach and as a collaborative leader, bringing energy, creativity, and inclusivity into every space with which she participates.