A new partnership between Troy University, Columbus-based TSYS and VISA is resulting in certifications and jobs for students and others.

VISA has launched a certification program in dispute resolution, recognizing the need for having credit card processing professionals who possess specific conflict resolution skills. The multi-phased certification takes about 18 months to complete. Nine TROY students have entered the program.

“This is an exciting partnership for Troy University and the Phenix City Campus,” said Dr. Dionne Rosser-Mims, Campus Vice Chancellor at Phenix City. “I am pleased that we are able to offer qualified students and community residents dispute resolution training, a skill very much needed in all work environments.

TSYS is a major credit card processing company and brought the program to TROY because of its close relationship with the Phenix City Campus and the broader University, said Kathy Ninas, Regional Director of Development in Phenix City.

“They have been such ardent supporters of the community. They started in Columbus and have remained in Columbus, and they turned to TROY because of the relationships we’ve established over the years,” she said. “For students, and even others in the community, it’s a win-win situation.”

VISA has offered 500 scholarships in the United States to support the program that costs about $10,000 per student. After completing a one- to two-week, self-paced introductory course, students are hired at TSYS, then continue training four hours a day virtually until they complete the VISA Certified Dispute Resolution Professional examination.

“Students need a working knowledge of the industry in order to fully complete the course, so they gain that on-the-job experience working for TSYS. It’s an entry-level job into a dynamic industry and the certification would certainly give those who complete it a competitive advantage of their peers at work,” Ninas said.

TROY’s Career Services handles the competitive application process for the partnership. 

Lauren Cole, Career Services coordinator, said there were more than 35 applications for the first round of training with nine students being nominated for the program.

“This is an outstanding opportunity for students to get their foot in the door of a really interesting and growing field. VISA and companies such as TSYS offer a valuable connection with the business and financial world for our students,” she said.

Information about the program, including the application process, can be found on the Career Services web page at troy.edu/careerservices under the Featured Employer Partners section.