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  That means having personal leadership skills, ability to recognize and value scholarship in faculty and intellectual curiosity across disciplines, members said.

  ‘‘I think it has to go at the top of the list,’’ College of Liberal Arts and Sciences Dean Linda Maxson said. ‘‘I think that’s the single most distinguishing characteristic we’re looking for.’’

  Candidates must bring a track record to campus, Maxson said. ‘‘You don’t want them to come here and learn that,’’ she said.

  The 13- member search committee spent most of Friday’s meeting talking about qualities it seeks in a president as it searches for a successor to David Skorton, who left the UI last June for the Cornell University presidency. The group discussed candidates in closed session.

  Other qualities committee members want include high energy, the ability to articulate a vision and develop goals for the UI, being a spokesperson — whether it be communicating successes or crisis management — and success in fundraising.

  The committee is starting to gel on the key qualities it wants, Chairman David Johnsen said. It now must develop questions and evaluation methods to best flesh them out in the candidates, he said.

  Committee members hope to have a new president chosen by July 1.