Staff
Melissa A. Mlynski
JD
Chief Ethics and Compliance Officer
Melissa joined the Ethics and Compliance Office in May of 2024. Previously, she worked as the Senior Director and then Associate Vice Chancellor of Human Resources at the University of Illinois Springfield (UIS) from 2016-2024, where she was responsible for all aspects of Human Resources, including labor and employee relations; workplace investigations and grievances; and training and professional development. She also served as an Adjunct Assistant Professor at UIS teaching graduate courses in labor and administrative law. Previously, Melissa was the Executive Director of the Illinois Labor Relations Board and Labor Relations Counsel for the Illinois Department of Central Management Services. Melissa received a bachelor’s degree in English from the University of Illinois in Urbana-Champaign and a law degree from the University of Illinois College of Law. Melissa is also a graduate of the President’s Executive Leadership Program (2023).
Melissa can be reached at: 217-206-6202.
Traci L. Rolf
CIA, Ed.M
Associate Director of University Ethics
Traci received her undergraduate and master’s degrees from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and worked in the accounting industry early in her career. She joined the University in 2001 as an internal auditor, with a background in risk auditing. Very quickly, her role evolved to that of the Assistant Ethics Officer, undertaking tasks such as the development of annual ethics training content and providing advisory services to employees. Currently, Traci serves the University Ethics and Compliance Office as the Associate Director of University Ethics and is the point person for ethics-related matters and investigations.
Traci can be reached at: 217-206-6202.
Sarah E. McPhee
CCEP
Associate Director of University Compliance
Sarah received her undergraduate degree from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. She began her professional career as Compliance Analyst for the University of Illinois Division of Intercollegiate Athletics (DIA) in 2005. Sarah was promoted to Compliance Coordinator for the DIA in 2009, and to Director of Compliance for the DIA in 2017. She joined the University Ethics and Compliance Office as Senior Coordinator of Compliance in April 2019, and assumed the role of Associate Director of University Compliance in January 2025. Sarah is responsible for providing expertise and assistance to the Chief Ethics and Compliance Officer in building and implementing the System level compliance program and serves as the point person for compliance-related matters.
Sarah can be reached at: 217-265-0733
Jennah M. Graham
JD
Senior Coordinator of Compliance
Jennah received her undergraduate degree in Psychology from Illinois College. She subsequently attended Northern Illinois University College of Law where she received her Juris Doctorate. Jennah worked as a Law Clerk in private practice during her three years of law school, and after receiving her law license, she continued in private practice as an attorney for a year focusing on family law, residential real estate, and general civil litigation. Jennah joined the University Ethics and Compliance Office in November of 2023 as a Senior Coordinator of Compliance responsible for assisting the Associate Director of University Compliance with maintaining, enhancing, and evaluating the System level compliance program.
Jennah can be reached at: 217-244-8496.
Leigh B. Volpert
Administrative Coordinator
Leigh received her undergraduate degree in Management of Information Systems from Southern Illinois University at Carbondale. She began her career working with Appropriations Committee Staff for the Illinois State Senate Minority Caucus. After fourteen years of service to the Senate, Leigh accepted a position as the Administrative Coordinator for the University Ethics and Compliance Office. Leigh is the first voice and point of contact within the office, coordinates meetings and schedules, and collaborates with Melissa, Sarah, Jennah and Traci on a multitude of projects and initiatives within the office.
Leigh can be reached at: 217-206-6202.