About the Board:
U in the Driver Seat (UDS) is a peer-to-peer safety program for college students. The goal of UDS is to raise awareness of driving impaired and prevent crashes involving college students. The program provides resources, information, and materials to empower young adults to spread the word among their friends and peers about the deadly act of driving impaired and encourage them to make smart choices and stay safe. UDS can only succeed with the involvement and commitment of college students, who are represented by the U in the Driver Seat Collegiate Advisory Board (CAB).
2021 – 2022 Collegiate Advisory Board (CAB) members
Catherine Badillo
University of Houston
American Sign Language Interpreting
Cat has been involved with the United Way Youth Leadership Cabinet. She was elected as Co-Chair her junior and senior years of high school. Cat has been a member of the CAB for two years now.
Her main goal this year is to help the UDS program become more accessible and reach different audiences through better accessibility.
Christine Abasi
University of Texas at Arlington
Psychology and Communications
Christine is currently a Lead PEER Health Educator at UT Arlington where she has created and led multiple alcohol programs since August 2018. She has also helped train other students to lead these programs. This is Christine’s second year as a CAB member.
Christine’s goal this year is to shift the types of messaging and sources of information that UDS uses to formats that are more accessible and interesting to college students.
Susan Cortez
Texas A&M Kingsville
Communication Journalism
Susan is the Vice President for PEP talk, where she helps delegate club meetings and activities, and Secretary for the Drone Racing Club, where she oversees new club functions. This is her second year as a CAB member.
Her goal for this year is to focus more on pedestrian safety.
Eber Silva
South Plains College
Political Science
Eber is currently a freshman. In high school, he was Chair for the Committee of Community Service.
One of Eber’s goals this year is to help hold a driving informative activity on campus to spread awareness on the dangers of driving impaired.
Esmeralda Gutierrez
Texas A&M Kingsville
Finance
Esmeralda is a PEP Talk member at her university currently serving as President. She also works as the Wellness Assistant for Student Health & Wellness. This is her third year as a CAB member.
One of her goals this year is to reach at least one student and educate them about risky driving behavior.
Nadalie Carrasco
South Plains College
Nadalie was President of the National Honor Society at her high school, and she was also involved in the Shattered Dreams program.
One of Nadalie’s goals this year is to volunteer more on campus and get her school involved with UDS.
Check out past boards:
2021-2022 Collegiate Advisory Board
2020-2021 Collegiate Advisory Board
2019-2020 Collegiate Advisory Board
2018-2019 Collegiate Advisory Board
2017-2018 Collegiate Advisory Board
2016-2017 Collegiate Advisory Board
2014 – 2015 Collegiate Advisory Board
2015-2016 Collegiate Advisory Board
2016-2017 Collegiate Advisory Board