Despite the growing body of research on African American students' academic achievement and the role mothers play in their child's academic development, few studies (Carter, 2008; Fordham, 1988) examined the role fathers play in the development of their child's academic achievement. The primary aim of this study was to examine how the father or male surrogate influences the development of six dimensions: personal identity, social sensitivity, academic self-concept, resilience, race theory, and vision of own success. Sixteen 2nd year community college students in New York were interviewed: nine males and seven females. The semi-structured interview protocol questions were developed based on the research literature regarding the six dimensions. The results indicated differences between academically successful students with a father or male surrogate and academically unsuccessful students without a father or male surrogate. The father or male surrogate contributed positively to the development of the six dimensions, and the absence of a father or male surrogate contributed to a lack of confidence, direction, and the inability to see past negative stereotypical labels given by media and instructors. [The dissertation citations contained here are published with the permission of ProQuest LLC. Further reproduction is prohibited without permission. Copies of dissertations may be obtained by Telephone (800) 1-800-521-0600. Web page: http://www.proquest.com/en-US/products/dissertations/individuals.shtml.]