We characterized the group of linear operators that strongly preserve r-potent matrices over the binary Boolean semiring, nonbinary Boolean semirings, and zero-divisor free antinegative semirings. We extended these results to show that linear operators that strongly preserve r-potent matrices are equivalent to those linear operators that strongly preserve the matrix polynomial equation p(X) = X. where p(X) = Xr1 + Xr2 + ... + Xrt and r1>r2>...>rt≥2. In addition, we characterized the group of linear operators that strongly preserve r-cyclic matrices over the same semirings. We also extended these results to linear operators that strongly preserve the matrix polynomial equation p(X) = I where p(X) is as above. Chapters I and II of this thesis contain background material and summaries of the work done by other researchers on the linear preserver problem. Characterizations of linear operators in chapters III, IV, V, and VI of this thesis are new.