hi, i'm nick. 👋
I build educational programs, teach writing, and use chess to connect communities across the U.S.-Mexico borderlands.
about me
I'm an educator, writer, and nonprofit leader based in Cochise County, Arizona. My work moves between classrooms, libraries, chessboards, community organizations, and the occasional microphone.
I founded Cochise Chess in 2022 and serve as its Executive Director. What began as a youth chess club in Bisbee grew into a bilingual, county-wide program serving more than 800 members across rural Arizona and Sonora, Mexico.
I also teach First-Year Composition through Arizona State University's Writers' Studio and lead Cascade Tutoring. Across those roles, I'm most interested in how education can become more accessible, more local, and more connected to the communities it serves.
some things i'm working on
Cochise Chess
Building bilingual, inclusive chess programs in schools, libraries, museums, and community spaces across Cochise County and the Arizona-Sonora borderlands.
Binational Chess
Supporting cross-border chess programming with partners in Agua Prieta, Sonora, including the Binational Chess Championship and opportunities for young players to participate regardless of income.
Naco Heritage Alliance Fellowship
Developing Chess in Schools programming at Naco School, co-creating historically grounded playing cards, and exploring recreation and leisure connected to Camp Naco and Buffalo Soldier history through a Mellon Foundation-funded fellowship.
Teaching & educational design
Teaching accelerated First-Year Composition at Arizona State University and developing approaches to multimodal learning, accessibility, mentoring, and community-based education.
talks, press & writing
- Borderlands Belonging: Bilingual Chess Education as a Model for Equity, Individual Growth, and Community Engagement · AZTESOL, 2026
- Chess Along the US-Mexico Border! · ChessKid
- Nick Mueller | Chess nonprofit leader and educational consultant · Shoutout Arizona
- Creative Writing Celebration honors local writers · Cochise College, 2026
- Presented at the Saint Louis Chess Conference and Innovations in Education Conference; interviewed on KBRP 96.1 FM and K101 FM.
selected support
My community and educational work has received support through the Naco Heritage Alliance's Mellon Foundation-funded fellowship program, the Legacy Foundation of Southeast Arizona, the Sulphur Springs Valley Electric Cooperative Foundation, the Bisbee Foundation, and the Bisbee Woman's Club.
education
Graduate Certificate in Educational Technology (K-12), Northern Arizona University · MEd in Educational Leadership, Northern Arizona University · MA in English, Arizona State University · BA in Psychology, Arizona State University
say hello
Email nick@cochisechess.org or call +1 (520) 609-1331.
For a more conventional overview of my work, see my résumé.