This study explored what African American college students perceives as contributing to their Academic success. This study moved to determine what factors significantly influence or impact how African American college students advance in their academic journey, which was hypothesized as an important component related to academic success and degree attainment. A semi-structured interview was conducted with 10 undergraduate students in their sophomore, junior, and senior years of college. Participants' age ranged from 20-25 years of age, with a mean age of 22, and each participant identified as African American. Nine participants attended a mid-size public university in the San Francisco Bay Area, one participant attended a mid size public university out of the state; all student attended full time. Eight major themes and six subthemes emerged from the interviews: 1. Family support for education; (subtheme; emotional support, financial support); 2. Family as Motivation for success; 3. Peer influence; 4. Activities/group Involvement (subthemes; Campus based organizations, Culturally centered organizations); 5. Academic Study Environment (subthemes; Home setting; University Setting); 6. Self-Perception.; 7. Sense of Responsibility; (subtheme; Family responsibility; Social responsibility; 8. School Climate. Results of the study along with limitation, implication for practice and suggest for future research are discussed. [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.]