Shannon Kelly ’26

by Shannon Kelly ’26 on November 13, 2025

On Mon. Nov. 3, I interviewed Providence College alumnus Curtis LeGeyt ’00, alongside Karly Ward ’27, the general manager of WDOM. LeGeyt studied quantitative economics here at PC and currently serves as the President and CEO of the National Association of Broadcasters. This work supports local levels of broadcasting, the networks that they affiliate with, as well as commercial radio stations. 

The first question he was asked surrounded his interest in PC and why he ultimately chose to attend this institution to pursue undergraduate studies. LeGeyt explained that he “was engaged in all things PC,” including being president of the student government his senior year and being very involved in athletics on campus. He also spoke about the time he spent in the WDOM office, stating that the station was “a little bit of an epicenter of student life here when you came into Slavin.” He talked about the importance of academics on campus, which he believes has remained the same since his time at PC, and mentioned the importance of the larger student experience here, which stems from being involved. LeGeyt contrasted the sense of community that many have here with his experience at Cornell Law School, where he described a relative lack of camaraderie. 

He also talked about the bonds that have endured since graduating from PC and emphasized how special PC is for being able to create that sense of community for so many of their students. When asked about the ways in which PC prepared him for his chosen career path, LeGeyt explained that the prioritization of the liberal arts allowed him to learn how to be a critical thinker, which he finds to be pertinent to this current moment in our society that is often tumultuous. He explained that his role at the National Association of Broadcasters allows him to represent media companies in both television and radio spaces, while connecting this to questions regarding the role of new technology, the role of companies to inform the public with trusted information, and how community can be fostered through the exploration of knowledge. He pinpoints PC as the place that “really led to that questioning,” explaining that “we’re not just here to learn how to do a rote skill, we’re here to really ask questions about a stated set of facts.” 

LeGeyt also reflected on the technological disruption that has come to define our generation while contrasting this with his own experience as an undergraduate student here, when “there was barely an internet.” He further explained that there was no social media, no iPhone, and “definitely no TikTok.” He also stated that he believes the veracity of institutional news sources was taken for granted in a way that the internet has now democratized. LeGeyt also spoke to the core curriculum here at PC, which he said “is not everyone’s cup of tea,” though it is “increasingly valuable with the age of technology and how everything is evolving as we experience it.” He said that there are two elements to the core curriculum that really distinguish PC from other schools. First, it establishes a commonality of experience across the student body through the Development of Western Civilization curriculum. Secondly, he said, despite everyone having a specific academic track, there is an emphasis on thinking about the world beyond our given moment, pondering what came before us, and how it shapes our ways of thinking about the problems we face today. 

When asked about the principles that he learned during his time at PC that guide his work, LeGeyt emphasized the importance of community. He said that many come to PC without realizing that service is a focal point of one’s experience here, especially in regard to community. We also must understand the importance of immersion in the community and giving back to something that is larger than ourselves. This has also had an effect on the way that LeGeyt carries himself, as he constantly thinks about what he is giving back to the larger community. No matter if he is at work, at home, or in the community that he lives in, he prioritizes paying it forward. 

In terms of the challenges that those in the broadcasting sphere are currently facing, LeGeyt expressed a strong desire to utilize local journalism and local connections to reach the audiences where they are. Local newspapers do not have the effect that they once did, and he emphasized the need for there to be trusted voices in local communities. Instead of prioritizing algorithms and division, LeGeyt mentioned the need for fact-based information, bringing folks together, and creating a sense of community. He said that more practically, his job focuses on collective industry advocacy, both on Capitol Hill and in the courts for policies, as well as regulations that best enable us to serve local communities. He also didn’t shy away from talking about the ways that in the advertising marketplace, local media has now shifted to being digital. He believes that we must ensure that there is money to reinvest in local journalism at local stations. 

When asked about the impact of AI on the industry, LeGeyt mentioned the systemic mistrust that exists in the media right now and the amount of misinformation that is in our ecosystem. He said that we must allow humans to do the work that only humans can do. When LeGeyt was asked about the social responsibility of broadcasters, he said that it is necessary to be aware of the fact that they operate under a public interest standard, while recognizing that local broadcasters are the last bastion of trusted journalism at this current moment. 

Throughout the interview, LeGeyt emphasized the importance of broadcast being the most democratized medium. He recognized the role that broadcast plays in underrepresented communities and the civic element that is deeply entrenched within this, as communities that are disproportionately affected by disinformation online are also considered. The advice he offered to people with similar interests was to “grind for a little bit and show that you’re willing to be a doer.” Critical thinking, willingness to participate, and social engagement stood out as key tenets necessary in the workplace. LeGeyt encourages us all to ask questions that we will never have the answer to, to tune in to your local stations, and to invest in relationships with others.