Low academic performance and progression rates for African American college students continue to pervade American colleges and universities. This problem leads to less than desirable academic success and a continuance of the achievement gap between African American and White students enrolled in undergraduate programs. As colleges continue to heavily recruit African American students for various reasons (i.e., to maintain or increase enrollments), they must commit to searching for answers that explain why Black students' academic performance, progression, and degree attainment rates remain virtually unchanged and fairly well behind their White counterparts. This study focuses on observations of African American and White, male and female community college students' interactions with their 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.]