The trade group for for-profit colleges and universities has brought in Harbour Group director Noah Black to fill its vacant communications slot.

The Association of Private Sector Colleges & Universities, which changed its name from the Career College Association in 2010, said Black joins as VP of comms. reporting to president and CEO Steve Gunderson.

Former Republican Congressman Steve Gunderson took the reins of the APSCU in January 2012, following the 2011 resignation of Harris Miller amid widespread criticism of the sector.  Bob Cohen held the senior VP/communications post at the APSCU until November 2011 under Miller. The group has worked with DDC Advocacy on media relations support since then.

Black was a comms. counselor and lead digital strategist at Washington-based Harbour Group.

The APSCU worked with Global Strategy Group last year to ease proposed federal restrictions on for-profit colleges and burnish the sector’ image amid a flood of criticism.