Name: Speaker Series: Dr. Kim Abunuwara and Lizzy Jensen
Start: 2026-03-05T13:00:00-07:00
End: 2026-03-05T14:00:00-07:00
Location: Roots of Knowledge

Speaker Series: Dr. Kim Abunuwara and Lizzy Jensen

All are welcome to join us in the Bingham Gallery to hear from Dr. Kim Abunuwara and Lizzy Jensen presenting: "In Good Faith: Supporting LDS Family Relationships Experiencing Faith Transitions."
In 2024, ten UVU students interviewed current and former members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints regarding their experiences navigating different religious beliefs within their families. The students then performed excerpts of these interviews, followed by a discussion with the audience. Students learned that even though these conversations are difficult, they can help family members grow in love and understanding for one another. Audience members were in turn empowered to talk to their own loved ones about their faith transitions with greater empathy and curiosity. A short film, In Good Faith, documents this project, and excerpts of student performances will be shown. Screenings of the film hosted by Faith Matters (2025), BYU Idaho’s LDS Institute (2025), Sunstone Symposium (2025), and staff training at the UVU Student Health Center (2026) have continued the vital discussion about how our community can preserve essential relationships in the face of religious transitions.

Dr. Kim Abunuwara originally trained in acting, and she earned a Ph.D. in Theatre and Film from Brigham Young University. In Good Faith reflects her interest in exploring how performance can enrich teaching and learning. She edited a performance-focused issue of Interdisciplinary Humanities (Spring 2024) and has published research on the influence of religious identity on student experience at UVU (Journal of Beliefs and Values, 2018). Dr. Abunuwara also teaches a class focusing on the divine in art and has written on Mormon domestic art for Interdisciplinary Humanities (Fall 2017).
Lizzy Jensen is a recent graduate of UVU’s Integrated Studies program, where she focused on religion, theatre, ethnographic performance, and religious diversity. She now serves as the coordinator of the Reflection Center in UVU’s Interfaith Engagement program. A certified mediator, Lizzy is passionate about helping people develop the skills to improve on how to talk together about their differences.