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 Dr. Dexter L. Criss, Director - PSGC
Dr. Dexter L. Criss has been involved with the choir since 1999 and became the Music Director in the Spring of 2002. Growing up in a gospel music family, he was introduced to the gospel world as a young child. He has since been involved in numerous church and community choirs. He is also currently the Director of the Burlington Ecumenical Choir and the Music Director at New Alpha Baptist Church. He is also a member of the Gospel Music Workshop of America.

Dr. Criss is an associate professor at SUNY Plattsburgh. He teaches organic chemistry and some graduate chemistry courses. This year he received the prestigious Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Teaching. He also advises the African Unity club.

In his own words:
"Hi! I'm Dexter and in addition to impacting the academic growth of science students here at Plattsburgh State, I've had the honor of leading the Gospel Choir since 2001 when I took the mantle of directing from the pioneer, Ms. Marlene Fields.

Currently, with more than 60 members from over 10 countries, the Choir is bursting with international energy and radiating with creative diversity. Proud to be at the helm of this internationally acclaimed group, we have traveled across the globe to Japan where I worked with the Japanese who shared our love for Gospel music. I found new appreciation for the Gospel Choir on this tour as this experience was new to many of us. Still young and growing, we have been able to jump major hurdles in making our dream of local, national and international recognition a reality. 

In just the 2003 year, we embarked on a New York/ New Jersey Tour during Spring Break, Toronto Performance, Montreal Invitation during the summer, Black History Month celebration in Burlington, enlightened Middle School students with an acapella concert and showed our respect to those lost in Sept.11, 2001 and Astronaut Michael Anderson. These and other performances fuel the fire that drives me to make the Choir better and stronger during my service. With encouragement and support 
from Former President Horace Judson, President John Ettling, Plattsburgh Mayor Dan Stewart and U.S. General Consultant Bernadette Allen, I am confident that the Choir will reach new heights as we prepare for our Chicago and Penn State Tour in the coming year. I am forever thankful for this opportunity to impact so many lives and to share my love for music. The students are wonderful to work with and I look forward to serving them and making a difference at Plattsburgh State for many years. "