Rutgers Law Student Crowned Miss New Jersey US International 2026
Rutgers Law 2L part-time student Portia Muehlbauer was crowned Miss New Jersey US International 2026 and will represent the state at the Miss US International Pageant in Philadelphia this July.
“My legal education at Rutgers has taught me that advocacy isn't just about what happens in a courtroom; it’s about using every platform you have to speak for those who feel unseen,” said Muehlbauer. “Representing New Jersey as a law student allows me to show that a disability doesn't define your capacity for leadership or professional success.”
The first-generation college student works to educate the public on "invisible" illnesses and the life-changing impact of service animals.
She said, “Beyond the competition, I am utilizing my platform to advocate for disability awareness, specifically focusing on my personal journey with Dysautonomia/Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome [POTS] and the vital role of my Golden Retriever service dog, Biscuit.”
POTS is a blood circulation disorder that affects an estimate one to three million Americans. While researchers can’t fully confirm the causes, it’s more common in women. Muehlbauer said she once felt like a prisoner in her home due to her condition. Now, she isn’t letting it stop her. She has lived, studied, and worked across 34 countries, hiked up volcanoes in Guatemala and Indonesia, sung in competitive karaoke competitions, and, most importantly to her, enrolled in law school.
On top of competing and schoolwork, Muehlbauer serves as President of the International Refugee Assistance Program (IRAP) and holds leadership positions in the Student Bar Association, Phi Alpha Delta, and Evening Student Association. Muehlbauer also interns at the Tax Court of New Jersey for the Honorable Michael Duffy. In her time at Rutgers Law so far, she has lobbied Congress, participated in two trips to the U.S.-Mexico Border with IRAP and the Immigrant Rights Clinic, and accumulated nearly 150 pro bono hours.
The Miss US International Pageant is the official United States preliminary to the Miss International pageant, one of the world’s most prestigious "Big Four" pageant systems. The winner of the national title will represent the United States at the international finals in Japan, promoting a message of global goodwill and women's empowerment.