Since working in the University Union in the 1980s as a student, and eventually as the program director of UNIQUE, Dean Sorensen is taking the position as associate director of Programs and Program Services of the union.

Zenia Diokno, 25, who was formerly the assistant program director of UNIQUE, was hired to take his place.

I really loved working with UNIQUE as a student at Sac State, so when Dean got promoted and called me for the job, I immediately said yes, Diokno said.

Despite the shift in leadership, the basic program of UNIQUE will remain the same, Sorensen said.

UNIQUE was started in 1978 as part of the union’s program services that specializes in bringing speakers, musicians and movies to campus for students to attend at no to little costs, according to the union’s website.

They will continue to take a look at what students are involved in, interested in and what’s coming through in terms of lectures and music, Sorensen said.

Diokno was a student volunteer for UNIQUE from fall 1999 to summer 2002, and as the assistant program director from 2002 to 2004. She worked as the project manager in a produce marketing company called Consumer Effects and at the Towe Auto Museum before taking the job as program director at UNIQUE.

I’m certainly glad to have Zenia coming in, because for the last year I’ve been covering several different areas, and I now I get to move into a support role for her, Sorensen said.

Sorensen will now be overseeing all activities and programs in the union including the game room, music listening room, speakers and presenters in the union and UNIQUE programs.

I love working with students, Sorensen said. So I will miss some aspects of working with UNIQUE, but I’m looking forward to the new role, Sorensen said.

Mary Chou can be reached at [email protected]