Donna Linderman is the Senior Vice Chancellor for Student Success at the State University of New York (SUNY). Previously Linderman served as the Associate Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs at the City University of New York (CUNY). Her portfolio includes a broad array of CUNY-wide programs designed to support the academic preparation and degree success of students across the pre- and post-matriculation continuum. Her programs include: Accelerated Study in Associate Programs (ASAP), a nationally recognized associate degree completion program currently serving 25,000 students across nine CUNY colleges and being replicated in five states; Accelerate, Complete, and Engage (ACE), the four-year baccalaureate version of ASAP, currently at two CUNY senior colleges and expanding in AY 21/22; CUNY Start/Math Start, pre-matriculation programs for students with significant remedial needs in reading, writing, and math designed to eliminate or significantly reduce remedial need before they enter CUNY degree programs currently serving 5,500 students across nine colleges; CUNY Educate, Develop, Graduate, and Empower (EDGE), a degree completion program for public assistance recipients currently serving 3,000 students at 18 CUNY colleges; CUNY Literacy and Language Programs, which deliver basic education, high school equivalency instruction, and intensive English language instruction to 10,000 students across 14 CUNY colleges; and the Fostering College Success Initiative (FCSI), a residential program with wraparound support services for foster care youth pursuing a CUNY degree. She also co-leads University-wide priority initiatives on behalf of CUNY Academic Affairs focused on developmental education reform and academic momentum.

SVC Linderman is regularly asked to speak at national conferences and convenings focused on community college completion and her written work has appeared in several education journals and conference proceedings. Before joining CUNY Academic Affairs, she served as an Assistant Professor of Theater and Education at Brooklyn College, and has also taught at Lehman College. Before entering academia, she worked professionally in the theater as an actor, director, teaching artist, and dramaturg.

She holds a B.F.A. in drama from the University of Southern California, an M.F.A. in theater from Brooklyn College, and is currently completing her doctorate (ABD) in higher education administration at Northeastern University.