The American Association of Community Colleges (AACC) works with community colleges across the nation to uphold the value of the education they provide, in states where proposals to devaluate associate-degree education are openly discussed up to the conference rooms of state legislatures as well as in states where the risk is not yet apparent. Underlying these efforts is a commitment to keeping the portal open for millions--often low-income or first-generation students, working parents, immigrants, minorities, or some combination of these--to move into middle-class America through successful completion of certificate or associate-degree allied health or nursing programs. The trouble is that access to these careers through community colleges can quickly be taken away, and without justification. This article offers several ideas on what community college leaders can do to uphold the value of associate-degree education.