C.J. Pascoe
Polished provides an essential road map for how colleges can change the lives of first-generation students. Drawing on the compelling narratives of college students who have undergone what she calls a ‘polishing’ process, Osborne calls on institutions of higher learning to enable and support the extensive and profound identity work experienced by upwardly mobile students. Polished is a must-read for those concerned with social mobility and the emotional, social, and economic well-being of first-generation college students.”
Choice
"Osborne makes complex sociological concepts accessible and engaging for a broad audience. This book is a powerful resource for understanding the complexities of first-generation students’ identities and for better addressing the gap in support across campuses. With its perceptive analysis and practical recommendations, Polished offers invaluable insights for educators, administrators, and students."
Jacobin - Eileen G’Sell
"The student testimonies in Polished resonated a lot with my own experience — of ambivalence, guilt, and overall incredulity at the entitlement of the wealthy."
Journal of First-Generation Student Success
"Polished: College, Class, and the Burdens of Social Mobility is an important and engaging book . . . . Osborne’s thorough and clearly documented research method combined with the compelling personal insights of students sheds important light on the complexities of social mobility experienced across the educational spectrum. Those of us working in higher education must better understand these complexities if we want to help students inside and outside of college."
Mitchell Stevens
Meticulously researched and carefully argued. In Polished, Osborne deftly reveals the emotional and psychic complexity of educational social mobility in America. She also offers clear-eyed and tractable ways for schools and their personnel to assist students in navigating the positive life changes a college education can bring.
Anne Helen Petersen
"I love this sort of nuanced and challenging work on class and education and social capital, and I think you will too."
Teachers College Record - Anne M. Hornak
" . . . a must-read for anyone interested in social justice, education, and the complexities of class dynamics in contemporary society. It offers a profound look at the realities of striving for a better life through education and the significant challenges that come with it. Osborne’s blend of scholarly research and compelling storytelling creates an enlightening and deeply moving book. It’s a valuable addition to the discourse on social mobility and an inspiration for those navigating similar paths."
