Michelle Obama to launch IGTV series that highlights stories from first-year college students
Michelle Obama knows how to start the year right.
Just days into 2020, Obama shared some inspiring plans for the new year. Along with her Reach Higher initiative and ATTN:, Obama will debut an Instagram TV series, called "A Year of Firsts," focusing on the daily lives of four students navigating their first year of college.
Over the course of six episodes, the series will explore a variety of issues that might come up for students in their first year of college, including academic stress, mental health, and college affordability.
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With its first-episode premiering on IGTV in mid-January, the series will provide a resource for students around the country facing similar setbacks and successes as those featured in the series.
"As Mrs. Obama highlights in each episode, there are many hidden challenges to making it through college," Matthew Segal, one of the co-founders of ATTN:, said in a statement announcing the series. "This series will meet many students where they live — on Instagram — and share candid perspectives about how to overcome barriers."
"We’re always looking for ways to authentically reach young people and meet them where they are. We know based on countless studies that young people – especially Gen-Z – spend a lot of time on Instagram," Merone Hailemeskel, Reach Higher's director of communications and digital, said to Mashable via email. "They turn to Instagram to connect with friends, their community and find content that they can relate to. We're looking forward to seeing these students' stories unfold throughout this series."
Since her family left the White House, Obama has continued to prioritize educational initiatives. Her latest project will expand the range of Reach Higher, an educational initiative launched by Obama in 2014 that aims to increase college access and retention.
And while she dropped off her youngest daughter, Sasha, for her first year of college this fall, "A Year of Firsts" also has another level of personal connection for Obama, as she explained in the statement.
"As a first-generation college student myself, I know how intimidating it can be to take that leap and pursue your educational dreams," Obama said. "That’s why I’m so proud of these students. By sharing their stories, they’re helping others see that the ups and downs of the first year of college are something everyone goes through — and they’re creating a supportive community for others facing similar challenges."
UPDATE: Jan. 9, 2020, 1:21 p.m. EST The story has been updated with a quote from Reach Higher.
