Jayden Narciso, a San Juan College dual credit student, has been selected as a member of the 2026 All-USA Academic Team and will receive a $3,000 scholarship.
Narciso was selected from more than 2,300 nominees and was recognized by the organization for academic achievement, campus and community engagement and leadership.
He will also be honored at the annual American Association of Community Colleges convention in Seattle this month. This is his second Phi Theta Kappa award, following recognition in Baltimore in March as a 2026 New Century Transfer Scholar.
“The All-USA program is a prestigious recognition of a student’s exceptional abilities both in and outside of the classroom,” said Amanda Karpinski-Gorman, director of the Phi Theta Kappa Foundation. “These students are selected for their resilience, creativity and ingenuity in tackling global and local challenges.”
Narciso will graduate in May with both a high school diploma and an associate of science degree in prehealth sciences. He will continue his education in the fall at the University of New Mexico’s combined BA-MD degree program.
“I’d like to continue research at UNM with a biomedical focus,” said Narciso. “My dream is to research cancer or neurodegenerative diseases. I’m very happy that I’ve been able to make a positive impact on my community, and I hope to continue doing so in the future as well.”
The combined degree program was launched in 2006 to help address the physician shortage in rural and underserved areas of New Mexico. Only 28 students a year are admitted from New Mexico high schools and the Navajo Nation who are committed to becoming doctors and serving the state.
“Being selected as a 2026 All-USA Academic Team member was thrilling. I am grateful for the support and opportunities from San Juan College High School and San Juan College,” he said. “I’m proud that my hard work throughout high school and at San Juan College over the past four years has paid off. My research and experience were possible thanks to my mentors and teachers.”