WARWICK, R.I. -- This summer, Community College of Rhode Island students are transforming repurposed license plates into unique works of art and custom manufactured goods.

It’s all part of the RI-DMV License Plate Manufacturing Project, a hands-on initiative supporting the American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators (AAMVA) 2026 Annual International Conference. When the event runs at the Rhode Island Convention Center from September 27 through October 1, over 1,000 attendees from across the world will be greeted by these student-crafted pieces.

Utilizing the Integrated Manufacturing Center at CCRI’s Warwick Campus, two cohorts of students have logged hundreds of hours over the summer to master CNC plasma cutting, 3D printing, and manual assembly. For the students involved, the project is a great opportunity to build practical career skills while participating in a highly visible statewide initiative.

With a busy production schedule, the students are designing and manufacturing 120 to 150 table centerpieces. These include intricate, multi-plate designs like lighthouses and dinghy boats that will sit on display at the event.

They are also producing up to 1,500 single-plate attendee gifts and 30 custom gifts for directors. Adding to the visual impact are several large-format wall art installations, such as a Rhode Island map and anchor collages.

The AAMVA conference annually takes place in the home state of its outgoing chairman, a one-year post currently held by RI-DMV Administrator Bud Craddock. This year marks the first time that Rhode Island will host the event in over four decades.

In keeping with a popular conference tradition of transforming the host state's license plates into localized art, the RI-DMV partnered with CCRI to put a distinct Ocean State spin on the custom. The legacy of this collaboration will even live on long after the event wraps up, as the massive Rhode Island map display is slated for a permanent home on wall at the DMV headquarters in Cranston.

"The RI DMV is extremely grateful to the administration, faculty, staff, and especially the students, of the Community College of Rhode Island in helping to make this a memorable event," said Craddock, who recently visited the Integrated Manufacturing Center for a firsthand look at the work. "These pieces capture the Ocean State theme of our state while showcasing the advanced skills and abilities the students are learning at the College. At the conclusion of the conference, many of the pieces will be on permanent display in our DMV offices."

The project is a true cross-departmental collaboration led by Dr. Matthew Rieger, Chair of CCRI’s Department of Physics and Engineering, teaming up with the RI-DMV. On the creative side, CCRI art students, led by Associate Professor Andrew Goodman, were instrumental in the initial design phase as well as the troubleshooting and production of gifts for the AAMVA Board of Directors. Advanced Manufacturing Consultant Ryan Degre has been assisting the production team with CNC programming and hands-on training, while Manufacturing Lab Technician Greg Marrocco has been critical in ensuring machinery reliability.

“This project has brought students with different academic backgrounds together to work on a collaborative team project where they each have had to opportunity to lend their own person expertise and ideas while also having the opportunity to acquire new skills and knowledge from the other students, faculty, and staff,” Rieger said. “In the end, they are producing tangible pieces that can, and have been, admired by many, giving them something to be proud of.”

Anthony Heffernan, a 21-year-old Electrical Engineering major from Exeter who started at CCRI in the Fall of 2025, noted how much the hands-on exposure has meant to him.

“I’ve gotten a lot of experience,” Heffernan said. “I didn’t know how to use various power tools, but I now have that experience. I’ve also learned how these incredible machines operate. I’ve learned a great amount, and I’m grateful for CCRI making this program available.”

Aaron Shapiro, a military veteran from Warwick majoring in Computer Engineering and Advanced Manufacturing, explained how the initiative aligns with both his lifelong interests and his academic path.

“Manufacturing, being able to make things, is something I’ve loved since I was a child,” Shapiro said. “With this program, there’s a direct correlation with the 3D printing classes at CCRI and the future of 3D metal printing. It ties in advanced modeling concepts that you need to know to work in manufacturing industries.”

By the time the AAMVA Annual International Conference arrives this fall, this dedicated team will have delivered a sustainable, Rhode Island-themed showcase that highlights CCRI’s experiential learning capabilities on a national stage.

“This project has been a wonderful experience,” Rieger said. “I have enjoyed watching the students grow not only in their skills and knowledge, but in their confidence. Additionally, seeing the creativity and ingenuity of the students on display throughout this project has been both impressive and a pleasure. Our students at CCRI are both talented and hard workers.”

You can click here to view a photo gallery of students working on the pieces.

To learn more about the AAMVA Annual International Conference, click here to view the event webpage.