This project includes nearly 500 people, both deceased and living authored by over 150 authors. Each entry follows the Iowa Biographical Dictionary model, and includes the following information: name, date of birth/death, quick facts, education, career and contribution to Iowa State. Each essay, ranging in length from 750-1000 words, summarizes the life of the subject and describe their most significant contributions as a part of the Iowa State University family. A brief listing of primary and/or secondary sources accompanies each essay. This biographical dictionary also includes Iowa State-related biographies published in the Iowa Biographical Dictionary and Iowans Who Have Made a Difference, although some may be amended to pertain more to the Iowa State impact of the individual. Photographs and portraits of selected individuals and/or their contribution are included, as determined by availability.

The co-editors include Allison Sheridan, curator, University Museums, who also implemented the online publication, and Leo Landis, State Historical Society of Iowa. The publisher is University Museums, however this project is jointly undertaken by University Museums, ISU Library, and the former Office of the Executive Vice President for Business and Finance. The Iowa State University Biographical Dictionary Committee included: Lynette Pohlman, Project Coordinator, University Museums, ISU; Tanya Zanish-Belcher, Project Coordinator, Wake Forest University (formerly Special Collection, ISU); Brad Kuennen, Library, College of Veterinary Medicine, (former University Archivist); Carole Custer, University Marketing, ISU; Ed Goedeken, Professor, ISU Library; Carole Gieseke, formerly of the Alumni Association, ISU; Warren Madden, former Executive Vice President for Business and Finance, ISU; Pamela Riney-Kehrberg, Chair History Department, ISU; Jerome Thompson, retired curator, State Historical Society of Iowa.

The basic criteria for determining who was considered:

• Faculty or staff member where the individual gained statewide, national, or international prominence.
  A former student or alumnus recognizable as an Iowa Stater who gained statewide, national, or international prominence.
  Faculty or staff member, or student, alumnus, or public figure with a long-term and significant impact on Iowa State’s cultural heritage.
  Biographical entries are created by volunteer authors from a selected pool of writers, professionals working in the field of history, and graduate students.